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September 2007 | ||||||||
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| Beth * Viola * Contact Us * Calendar * Birthdays * RE * Musings * Green Stuff * New Members * Committees * Auction * Book Club * Celebrating Our Roots * Caring | |||||||||
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ALONG THE WAY . . . BUUF
Religious Leader Beth Lefever Ya know what I hate? I hate it when my stomach growls loudly in quiet public places. I hate socks that slide down. I hate that I can't stay up late and still get up early. I hate myself when I have stayed up late and gotten up early. I hate popcorn nutrition labels that tell me how many calories in 3 Tbsp., unpopped. I hate it when the ATM is out of order. I hate that technology ever surpasses my comprehension of it. I hate that I cant be in two places at once. I hate that onions and garlic make your breath stink. I hate finding a hair in my food. I hate it when flush levers in questionable public restrooms are inconvenient to the reach of my foot. I hate public restrooms. I hate televisions in restaurants. I hate that as soon as I shave my legs, new little hairs immediately rise up to taunt me. I hate that the house begins to get dirty as soon as I set down the mop. I hate that we begin to age from the moment we are born from the moment the sperm meets the egg. I hate fabrics that itch, and those that I believe itch even though everyone tells me its my imagination. I hate underwear that sticks up over baggy, low-riding pants. I hate baggy, low-riding pants. I hate too-loud radios on public beaches. I hate that evolution has not seen fit to grace us with a third arm so that we might feed ourselves at stand-up occasions while holding a plate and a glass. I hate gravity in so many ways. I hate conversation domination and those who perpetrate it. I hate the thought that I might be such a person. I hate not having the last word. I hate sexually suggestive advertising in non-sexually suggestive programming. I hate it when people believe tragedy is a response to sin, and the religions that encourage such belief. I hate indifference, over-zealousness, passing the buck. I hate BP Oil which has opted to flagrantly disregard our environment, and all those allowing them to do so. I hate injustice, cruelty, and greed. I hate intolerance I hate self-doubt, and those too arrogant to doubt themselves. I hate one-upsmanship. I hate bats. I hate that snow can only occur when its cold. I hate that lilacs wilt too soon. I hate summers end. (And I hate negativity! Coming soon what I love.) Looking forward to being with you all again soon, Beth |
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In the BUUF . . . September 2007 | ||||||||||
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Pastoral Letter . . . Rev.
Viola Moore Dear Members and Friends, A young student told me recently that the chic or cool thing for students to wear this fall was a camouflage shirt and camouflage jacket! Who decided that this is acceptable attire for beginning an academic enterprise? On further inquiry, I found out that there are camouflage clothing for infants and toddlers! Children have been permanently lost while wearing camouflage suits! Are we trying to tell children that war is the normal state for the human being, or are we in some mistaken and convoluted way trying to create super patriots who will wear their support for the war? Of course there is camouflage for all ages and I notice that the private militias which form around obscene causes appear in camouflage uniforms. In the world of womens fashions there is a military look to jackets and coats. The models who wear them in the pages of fashion magazines and newspapers look mean and belligerent. Many years ago at the height of the womens liberation movement, the most popular nail color was jungle red. The theologian, Paul Tillich, asked me What is the meaning of this color choice? I said, Look at the name: Jungle Red. It was an expression of hostility and aggression. Today, in the Fall styles shown on the runways, the models show the same hostility and aggression in their military style clothing. The silent message beyond the hostility seems to be You are not good enough as you ARE. Putting on the latest styles will make you more confident, more at ease with yourself, and more attractive. What becomes of our religious principle, the worth and dignity of every person? Certainly, if one is anchored deeply in spiritual values, one need not turn to decorating the body with stylish clothes and colors. We can rest confidently in the goodness of our creation. In this season of mellow ripeness, let us give thanks for the uniqueness of each person. May we always say YES to self and YES to life in spite of the gathering darkness. May we all find joy in being our authentic selves. Love, |
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In the BUUF . . . September 2007 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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UPCOMING EVENTS [don't forget to check our online calendar!] SUNDAY SERVICES
BIRTHDAYS will return next month Marv Teaches Class on WWII Era Marv Fuller began teaching a course at LMC on August 28th entitled "Social and Military History of the World War II Era". It's being done with World War II videos in the blue lecture hall 6 to 8 PM every Tuesday through December (15 weeks). So far over 100 people have signed up, including Len Herriman. The tuition is $25. There are 3 lecturers -- all WW II veterans and all have taught in the past. It will include some personal stories of the war.The other 2 lecturers are Gale Cutler and Arden Prigeon. 2nd class will be Sept. 4. Celebrating Our Roots While cleaning out some files recently, I came upon a letter that was stuck in with some other papers in such a way that I never found it. It was written to me anonymously by one of you, wisely suggesting that I remember several people at last year's Memorial Day service, who have figured prominently in the shaping of our Fellowship. Those people are Elizabeth Upton Vawter and Algird Barvicks. Had I seen the letter at that time, I would certainly have honored the suggestion, and I apologize to whoever wrote the letter, for the oversight. In May, we will be having some activities in celebration of the 50th anniversary of BUUF. Please be assured that at that time we will make a point of honoring these people, as well as all the early BUUF movers and shakers. Keep your eye on the newsletter for more information on our 50th anniversary celebration. In celebration, Beth |
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In the BUUF . . . September 2007 | ||||||||||||
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NEW MEMBERS MEET CHRIS SIROTIAK! It has been nearly a year since Chris Sirotiak (think zodiac with an S) signed the BUUF membership book. While she is still needing to spend the winter months in Charleston, WVA, she has been very "in the BUUF" since spring. She participated in the Cakes for the Queen of Heaven class, Book Group, brought refreshments on several occasions and is now organizing the First Annual BUUF Fundraising Auction and Chili Cook-Off for November 3rd. Chris was born, grew up and attended public schools in Oak Park, IL through her Jr. HS year; she spent her Sr. year at Walther Lutheran. Her college years were spent at Northwestern, IL where she became a certified teacher. Her son, Josh was born in 1980 (he now lives, works and plays music in San Francisco). They moved to Cleveland in 1993 where she worked for ATT (don't get her started on the Telephone Co.) until her retirement in 2005. She has attended Unitarian Universalist congregations in Chicago, Cleveland and W.Va. She loves the people at BUUF and says she immediately felt at home here. She and her dog, Sam moved last year to Sawyer to live in the cottage her grandparents and parents built and spent summers throughout her lifetime. She has done graduate work in art therapy and loves painting and drawing. She is a great chef and those of us who have dined with her love find it a delicious adventure. Chris wishes to share with us the poem she recently wrote to commemorate her nephew's life and pain: Chace was murdered in Charleston, West Virginia August 19th. We welcome Chris to our Fellowship and feel blessed to have her with us.
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In the BUUF . . . September 2007 | |||||||||||
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Greetings from Your New Religious Education (RE)
Director! . . . Teresa LaPlante, DRE Greetings in the name of all that is good! I am Teresa LaPlante, the new RE Director at BUUF. I am thrilled to find myself back in Religious Education. I had taught and directed Sunday School for about 12 years before I decided that it was time I did some learning, instead of leading. It took awhile-almost 20 years!-but I am now ready to lead again and am happily following the path set before me. A bit about me--I am married to John LaPlante, a truck driver, and we live in Watervliet. We have two teens: Ashley, 17, and Jay, 14. Our family serves one skinny black cat named, "Bugaboo." I have worked as Communications Director at First Church of God in St. Joe for the past five years. The position has allowed me to strengthen my own beliefs, as well as, to heal afflictions caused by association with a Pentecostal church from years before. I love being part of a church that offers worship for all faiths. It is the cornerstone of what I have been practicing for the past five years: tolerance and respect for all faiths, finding the good, discarding what doesn't work. Life is good! I have always been amazed at the flow of Creativity that is available to all of us. If we grow silent, remove the barriers we have erected in our minds (that's the hard part!), and just be, it is astounding the ideas, solutions, and thoughts that will come to us. As long as we drink from the spring, the ideas will flow. It never runs dry. Despite my years away from teaching, as soon as I sat down to work on the theme for this year, the flow of creation began anew, and I laughed out loud in joy. This fount of Creativity, this eternal spring of ideas, is the fount I will draw from when leading Religious Education at BUUF. Children
can be Superheroes, tooOur theme for all of our Religious Education classes this year will be "UU Superheroes." This theme will not only make our children aware of other great Unitarians who have come before them, but will also challenge them to become their own superhero. As we all know, most superheroes come in disguise.
Whether their disguise is a red cape and blue tights, a meek and mild
disposition, or even a young child, underneath the surface lives a
superhero-one capable of daring feats that will save this world. Really! It is
my desire to help every child find the superhero within him/herself, to follow
the example of other heroes and develop their hidden superhero strengths,
whatever they may be, so that they, too, can face this world unafraid.
Teen Class Challenge There is a SciFi television show called, "So, You Want to Be a Superhero." On this show, people from all walks of life are selected to train to become superheroes. This will be my challenge to our teens-to take the daring feats and tests I give them to find their strengths (and weaknesses), to battle evil, to help those in need, to save their world...and to have fun along the way. (Of course, superheroes have fun -- it has to be fun to run around in tights and capes!) Our teen class (for children 6th- thru 12th-grade at present) will consist of dramas, games, and discussions as they learn about other heroes and practice themselves to become superheroes who stand for truth, justice, and the Unitarian way. Parents Parent Packets were mailed on August 27. If you did not receive one, please contact me so that I can get one to you. My email is DRE at buuf2.org. Or call me at 269-463-5668. Online Registrations Online Registration is now available! Just visit our website at www.buuf2.org and fill out a registration form for each child attending this fall. Or, if you prefer, you can still fill out and return the paper registration form by September 23. |
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In the BUUF . . . September 2007 | |||||||||||
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RE 2007/08
Begins! September 16 is our End of Summer Bash, as we enjoy the opportunity to get to know one another, catch up on news, and just have one more fun day of summer! Weather permitting, the Bash will be outdoors. Dress for the weather! September 23 will be our first day back in the classrooms. This is a very important class, so be sure not to miss it! We'll discuss our theme for this year (Superheroes!), meet our teachers, and make our class covenants. BUUF Chalice Lighter Program The flaming chalice, like our faith, stands open to receive new truths that pass the tests of reason, justice, and compassion. The person who lights the chalice helps to signal the beginning of our worship and the openness of our faith. The Chalice Lighter program has become a wonderful tradition for both children and adults at BUUF. I am excited to watch each person be given the opportunity to begin our worship by lighting the chalice. If you/your child would like to light the chalice, fill out the form included in your parent packet and return it to me by September 23. You will be given a date and instructions on how to perform this valued service. The form will be used to introduce you/your child to the congregation on the Sunday you light the chalice (unless you'd rather introduce yourself!). The Chalice Lighter program will begin October 7. A Call for Teachers! Good teachers are always needed. If I have not contacted you and you are interested in teaching this year, please contact me and let's talk! With a small time commitment, you can make a big difference for a child. My phone is 269.463.5668. Thank you again for allowing me to work with your children. It's going to be a fun and exciting year as I get to know each of you! Brightest Blessings, Teresa LaPlante RE Calendar of Special Dates September 2 - No service (Labor Day weekend) 9 - Teacher Orientation (9:30am) 9 - Water Ceremony Service (Inter-generational) 16 - End of Summer Bash (outdoors, weather permitting) 23 - Classes begin for 2007/08 - Teachers introduced, covenants formed 30 - UU Superheroes Lesson 1: Who is a Superhero? October 7 - Chalice Lighter Program begins/ Lesson 2: King John Sigismund: The Only Unitarian King 14 - Lesson 3: Henry David Thoreau: Living Deliberately (outdoor class, weather permitting) 21 - Lesson 4: Theodore Parker: Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide 28 - Halloween Party: Learning History of Halloween as We Celebrate Its Traditions (Teresa leading all classes) November 4 - Lesson 5: Lewis Latimer: A Bright Idea 11 - Lesson 6: Lydia Maria Child: Writing for Freedom 18 - If the World Were a Village (Teresa leading all classes) 25 - No classes (Thanksgiving weekend) |
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In the BUUF . . . September 2007 | |
| MUSINGS . . . Heartha
Whitlow "Science is not only compatible with spirituality: it is a profound source of spirituality. When we recognize our place in an immensity of light-years and in the passage of ages, when we grasp the intricacy, beauty, and subtlety of life, then that soaring feeling, that sense of elation and humility combined, is surely spiritual. So are our emotions in the presence of great art or music or literature, or of acts of exemplary selfless courage. The notion that science and spirituality are somehow mutually exclusive does a disservice to both." -- from Carl Sagan's "The Demon-Haunted World" (1995). AN AGNOSTIC'S PRAYER Great Spirit, whatever you are if you are -- I am glad to borrow this collection of molecules for a while, especially the sentient parts that allow me to know what's going on around me, if I really do know. Actually, I would have preferred a different format, and I wish I were sure that my senses are telling me the truth, whatever that means. But perhaps it doesn't matter. It's very interesting, and even fun, if only for a while. If you ever try this experiment again, how about some easily-replaceable genes? We could solve some problems and correct some of your mistakes. -- Heartha Whitlow, about 2002 BUUF'S 2007 Fundraising AUCTION DATE SET!!! BUUFs First Annual Goods and Services Auction Saturday, November 3rd with a Chili and Cornbread Cook-Off Be Prepared for Fantastic Eats, Incredible Buys, a Mystery Auctioneer, and some Laughs. Bring a Friend or two, and Your Checkbook! We are looking for Your Gifts and Talents as items for this fundraiser: baked goods, a dinner party, dinner catered, furniture, (both new and gently used) antiques, services such as plumbing, carpentry, electrical work, pet sitting, house sitting and, my favorite category...just for fun. The To-Be-Auctioned List already has items:
Contact Committees As we start a new church year, I want to remind you that two committees exist to assist you, as well as assist me in my service to you. The Care Team, consisting of Charles Long and Sharon Roberts, is there primarily to assist you with health or other concerns, when you can't reach me, or until I can get to you. If you have taken to your bed, are taken to the hospital, or are experiencing some other kind of difficulty, and you would like support quickly, please contact Charles or Sharon. They will lend a hand or marshal some people to assist you, and will also let me know what's up. The Committee on Ministry exists to support me in my ministry to you, and to act as liaison between you and me. If you have concerns about the church, or my role and how I am fulfilling it, you may contact someone from this committee. Members are Tricia Johnson, Charles Long and Gloria Weberg. Please don't hesitate to contact any of these people if they can be helpful. But also please keep in mind that you can ALWAYS contact me directly. Though my home number is best: 574-522-2567, you may also try my cell phone (574-361-9992). I check voicemail frequently. -- Beth |
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In the BUUF . . . September 2007 | |||||||||||
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BUUF BOOK CLUB . . . Amy
Eklund Hello fellow bibliophiles! September's selection is Curry: A Tale of Cooks and Conquerors by Lizzie Cunningham. We have selected She Got Up Off the Couch by Haven Kimmel as our October book. Some of you may recognize this as the sequel to our selection from last December, A Girl Named Zippy. She Got Up Off the Couch gives us more humorous vignettes from Zippy's childhood but also tells the story of her mother's remarkable transformation and she overcomes depression, develops new self-esteem, and completely remakes herself. It also shows how this transformation forever alters the families dynamics. It is laugh out loud funny but also powerfully poignant. I will quote a review of both below. Reader review for Zippy: "This book is proof that each of us has plenty of material in our `ordinary' lives to use as material for writing a memoir. What most of us DON'T have, however, if Haven Kimmel's ability to write so well that what was really a very simple small-town childhood can be elevated to a 280-page book that utterly captivates. Kimmel achieves what many others have attempted to do and failed: she writes entirely from the child's voice without losing her audience, without becoming cloying, without making us want to smack her and say `get on with it.' By turns wickedly witty, humorous, poignant, sweet, heart-wrenching, wise, A Girl Named Zippy is simply one of the best books I've read this year, a poem to a happy childhood. I resisted it for over a year, fearing it was going to be a sappy, feel-good story. Wrong. It's utterly original, utterly uplifting, utterly hilarious, utterly wonderful. Do NOT fail to read this book." Reader review for She Got Up Off the Couch: "Haven Kimmel's latest memoir installment is even better than the first ("A Girl Named Zippy") if that's possible to imagine. "She Got Up Off the Couch" is deeper, more interesting and funnier! Watch how she gradually reveals some of the truths of her young life. This deft unveiling technique works perfectly to paint a more sympathetic picture of her family than if she had merely started out stating some of the "facts" about her early life. Thanks to her perfect pacing, we as readers grow in affection for her mother, father and sister before we know some things that otherwise may have made us judge them harshly. Clearly Zippy does not want us to judge them harshly and her superb talent gives us, and her family, this wonderful gift. No higher praise can I give than to also note that young Zippy has echoes of Scout Finch throughout the narrative. I hated to reach the last page." GREEN STUFF . . . Tom Hackley ENERGY TIPS FOR YOUR HOME . . . Consumer Reports Change a light, change the world By switching the light bulbs in the five light fixtures you use most to COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS that have earned the ENERGY STAR label, you can save more than $65 every year in home energy costs. If every American home made this change, together we'd prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from nearly 10 million cars. Find out more at www.energystar.gov. Stick 'em up Most experts agree that caulking and weatherstripping - two simple air-sealing techniques - will pay for themselves in energy savings within one year. In addition, they'll alleviate drafts and help keep the temperature constant inside your home. ENERGY TIPS FOR YOUR FELLOWSHIP Did you know BUUF recycles? ...check the recycle bin in the kitchen. Rinse off styrofoam plates and cups, put them in the bin along with clean office paper, clean glass and plastics. Also look in the kitchen for the "Cartridges for Kids" box to recycle batteries and printer cartridges. |
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In the BUUF . . . September 2007 | |||||||||||
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CARING FOR OUR FELLOWSHIP . . . Emily Bettencourt and
Tom Hackley Going, Going, Gone . . . Summer is always busier than we hoped it would be, back in the Spring. Being a farm-raised child, without television or a neighborhood, my childhood memories of those endlessly long days, and anticipating seeing my friends and teachers again still sets me up with that expectation that summer is going to be more relaxed, days longer, more time to get things done, etc. A New Fellowship Year Begins: After the August 26th Picnic, which marks the end of BUUF's summer services (no service on Sept. 2), we look forward to our first Sunday together for BUUF's 2007-2008 year. The Sept. 9th Water Communion is always a great way to get reacquainted, by sharing the water and experiences we had during the summer. If you forgot to capture a small sample of that lake, stream, waterfall or tears of laughter or grief, you can do so symbolically, as we pour it all together. Tears and Memories: Our deepest sympathy go out to Larry and Sandy Feldman, for the death of Larry's dear mother, Gertrude Feldman. New member, Chris Sirotiak learned of the unexpected and violent death of her nephew Chase, on August 17th in Charleston, W. Va. Please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers. Wedding Bells and Congratulations! to Pat and Gretchen Ohmann who celebrated with their daughter and new family, Megan's marriage to Rod Espinoza on August 3rd was at the First Assembly of God, St. Joseph, MI. Megan and Rod are making their home in Benton Township. Best Wishes to all. BUUF Improvements: The Membership Team this summer has gotten a boost from Emily Hecht who helped re-organize the BUUF Kitchen. There will be new maps posted to locate items, and labels on cupboards and drawers. A Shopping List on the refrigerator for users to list things that are needed and for Heartha Whitlow to pick up for us. Also, the drip, drip, drip of the kitchen sink faucet is no more; thanks to a great plumbing job and new faucet fixture installed by Gary Cook. Thank you all for pitching in. Sunday Sign-up Sheet: This sheet will return to its handy and visible location next to the kitchen entry door. The sign-up sheet really should be called: "The Fellowship Coordinating and Implementing a Successful Sunday Service Sign-up Sheet!" Right? But that is too long. The intention of the new sheet has been to help us realize that a meaningful Fellowship Service takes all of us being involved, some of the time. It takes a Fellowship of friends to care and worship together. Please share yourself by choosing a task or two to do one Sunday, every three months; it does take a little planning and effort, but it is very much appreciated by all. See you in Fellowship, Emily Bettencourt and Tom Hackley Membership Team |
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| Berrien Unitarian
Universalist Fellowship 4340 Lincoln Ave., St. Joseph, MI 49085 * 269-429-2883 * www.buuf2.org * office at buuf2.org |