Evan and I were headed home after church and the Board meeting on Memorial Day Sunday. I was dozy and Evan probably was too, though he was driving. I asked him if he wanted the radio on and he said, “Yeah, maybe the Indianapolis 500 is on.”

I came alert enough to say, “Do you know how much interest I have in the Indy 500?”

Evan said, “I’m pretty sure I do.”

I briefly flashed on what a colossal waste it all is and then chose to grace him with my thoughts. “It seems like a massive waste of resources, is all,” I said. (Sorry all you race fans.)

Evan said, “Yeah, it does. It’s too bad they don’t race with hybrids or have a contest on who can go the farthest the fastest consuming the least amount of fuel.”

Now there’s an idea.

I switched on the radio prepared to doze with one eye open so Evan could continue to rely upon my expertise as his back-seat driver, when what do you know? The announcers began talking about Danica Patrick and against my will I was drawn into the race. I hate it when that happens!

When we got home, Danica having been taken out of the race by Ryan Briscoe in a pit road accident, I decided to research just how colossal the waste of resources for the 500 actually was.

Racers generally get two to three miles per gallon, averaging about 200 gallons per car per race. Thirty-three cars take to the track on race day. Though they do not all finish, it still probably averages about 6000 gallons of gas used just for the race. That does not include all the fuel used to manufacture and test the cars, for drivers to practice, for qualifying trials, etc.

As I was reading about the race, I learned that as of last year, the drivers had “become green” by switching to ethanol. Well, that may be a legitimate effort on their part, but my most beloved expert, Evan, says that it takes about one gallon of petroleum to make 1.2 gallons of ethanol, so they haven’t really accomplished that much. Besides which, it seems to be true that the use of ethanol is contributing to the global food shortage which is plaguing the world right now.

So what’s my point? Well, it is this: We all have our hobbies and pleasures, and none of us lives as frugally, environmentally speaking, as we could or should. As our planet becomes more and more environmentally endangered, it would be good for us to be on the front lines of living green. It is in keeping with our seventh principle, respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part, a principle that most of us hold very dear indeed.

As we look to our past, and to the future, during this milestone anniversary year, I want to urge us, as a church with a remarkable ability to impact and influence the broader community when we set our minds to it, to set green as a goal. I would very much like to see us take seriously the possibilities of a green parking lot, a green facility, and a greater green consciousness as one of our most serious missions in the coming year(s).

Have a great and green summer!

Dear Members and Friends,

June is a time when our thoughts turn to love, and amid tears watch two lovers begin the great adventure of marriage. When I give a wedding homily, I usually talk about the basic triangle of marriage: love, power and justice. This usually shocks the guests who expect some pablum about love. One of the saddest things I do as a minister is to help couples in trouble which often end in divorce. While I cannot stop the hemorrhaging, I can hope for a good scar, some healing and forgiveness.

When we speak of love we are in the realm of the sacred. I have said in other letters how close the sacred is to the demonic. Reason can never explain the world-destroying sense the lover feels upon learning of the beloved's betrayal. No matter what we say about respecting the autonomy of the other, despite how we reason the distinction we make between the body's pleasures and the emotional commitment we make, the words ring hollow.The betrayed lover is in the same position as the devout believer who comes to understand her religious rituals are all mere illusions, not a revelation of the sacred. The rejected lover feels not only the loss of the other, but also the loss of part of herself. Her world collapses. The universe of meanings that the "two become one" has created is destroyed. The thought of the beloved with another invokes shame, the shame of self-knowledge, and the guilt of somehow feeling responsible. When the beloved turns away, a world is in ruins.This produces an experience of death. We do not think of falling in love with another is evil, even if the consequences are tragic.

Lovers share a world, but in doing so each becomes vulnerable to the other. In a failed marriage, the beloved has died, and in that death we are thrown back on ourselves; that death becomes a kind of murder of the self. Love always contains the risk of betrayal. Lovers have a claim on each other, for each is the foundation of a common world. This is why the first concern of love is care, more important than justice or truth. This insight is lost to the rational moralists of the Enlightenment, and their liberal successors of the UU persuasion. Love and justice are always in tension. When love ends, the partners suffer the shame of finitude. There has been a death!

Marriage or a committed relationshp requires a daily discipline of love. Nothing can be taken for granted. The relationship is sacred. W.H. Auden says that evil is "the love of the self alone." When lovers stay connected to family and the larger community, and participate in the work of building a just and peaceful world, their lives shiver with enchantment. Their world of meaning flourishes and an exuberant joy shines over every day, that joy that wants all eternity. May our June celebrations of love deepen our gratitude for all the love in our lives.

Love,

Will You Teach an RE Class?

There were folks called the Yewyews, though no one knows why,
And these Yewyews were found over land, sea and sky.

Each week, they all came to a Yewyewish caucus
Where, once in a while, things became rather raucous.

They came in a wide range of sizes and shapes.
(Although most of them claimed they descended from apes!)

Yes, they all were quite different. So different, in fact,
That each Yewyew had some skill others lacked.

There were plumbers and doctors and students and teachers,
And writers, musicians, a few would-be preachers.

Now these Yewyews had youngsters, just like the birds and the bees,
Whom they called by the nickname, "The Little Ahrees."

By and by, to the Yewyews this question was brought:
Should the Little Ahrees come to caucus, or not?

Oh, these Ahrees were cute. They were smart. They were quick.
But the caucus itself didn't quite do the trick.

For the Little Ahrees needed more room to grow
And to move, and do artwork, and sing songs they know.

So the Yewyews decided they'd better get busy
And choose who should teach but each Yewyew got dizzy

With thinking up reasons why somebody else
Would be better at teaching than him or herself.

But the best way, they found, for the Ahrees to learn
Was if each of the Yewyews took his or her turn.

And the Yewyews who taught learned this, I am told:
That whatever they gave, they got back manyfold!

There's a moral to this story as I'm sure you can guess:
When the RE asks for volunteers -- Just Say Yes!

--Taken from a verse written by an unknown UU RE Director

If you are a YewYew who would be willing to join the team and give our regular teachers a break this next year, please let me know. The curriculum will be fun (it may even be Dr. Seuss!) and the pace is easy.

Teens will have "Popcorn Theology" for a curriculum-discussing the ethics presented in different movies, such Star Wars and Jurassic Park, and more. If interested in leading either age group, email me at DRE@buuf2.org.

Dream Workshop

We have the opportunity for a Dream Workshop this fall. If anyone would be interested in meeting with others on a weekly/bi-weekly/monthly basis to discuss and work with your dreams, please let me know. (Email: DRE@buuf2.org)

Summer Camp

Thus far, we have four volunteers willing to help with Summer Camp, tentatively planned for July 28-August 1. Our curriculum will be "Bible Stories in Context," covering the subjects of:

• creation
• the big flood
• the big fish
• fighting the giant
• a savior

We will hear the Bible stories of each, as well as similar stories from cultures around the world. These will be taught in a simple and positive way to give our children a basic foundation of the Bible and its relation to the world around it. Join in the fun - I promise water activities when we learn about the Big Flood!

Also, my daughter, Ashley, has offered to teach a choreographed dance routine to children who might be interested.

Cakes for the Queen of Heaven: In Ancient Times

Nine women took the one-week intensive, Cakes for the Queen of Heaven: In Ancient Times. For those of you who were not able to join in, we are offering it again this fall, every Friday evening in October. More on this later!

RE Calendar of Special Dates

July 28 - Aug 1: Summer Day Camp
Sept 7: RE classes resume

What We Teach Children:

• Each and every person is important
• All people should be treated fairly and with kindness
• We should accept one another and keep on learning together
• Each person must be free to search for what is true and right
• All persons should have a voice in the things that concern them
• We work for a peaceful, fair, and free world
• We care for our planet earth, and treat all creatures upon it with respect, as we share the same home.

A Brief History of UU in the Midwest ...

... A History Service with Readings and Reflections was the Opening Celebration at the Central Midwest District Annual Assembly Friday, April 25, 2008 at the St. Louis Frontenac Hilton Hotel.

A reading from Freedom Moves West by Charles Lyttle: "In the wake of the wars that agitated the colonies from 1740 to 1783 came an unprecedented undertow of infidelity, licentiousness, intemperance, and profanity, as was to be expected. But the orthodox leaders, without a trace of justice, seized the opportunity to impute responsibility for such spiritual and moral decadence to the Unitarian liberals. . . . Liberalism was charged with promoting moral indifference or anarchy, with cryptic designs of atheistic and bloody revolution . . ." READ MORE at www.cmwd-uua.org

Other Faces, Other Places

UU Fellowship of Elkhart is thrilled to announce, with an overwhelming majority vote of 76-2 (97%), the members voted to call the Rev. Amy K. DeBeck as their settled minister. Rev. DeBeck has enthusiastically accepted their call. Amy's ministry with UU Fellowship of Elkhart will start in August.

BUUF Memoirs

Twelve months from now Kate Fuller is in hopes of having compiled a BUUF memoirs book. It will be full of stories from people who have been attentdees of our fellowship. So please try to think of a story to describe something you have experienced with us -- be it funny, interesting or unexpected. What has happened to you at BUUF that you can still remember? For example, it might be Liam Lavery jumping off the stage in the sanctuary (when there was a stage in the sanctuary) as his Superman cape billowed out behind him. Or perhaps you had an "epiphany" while listening to one of Beth's sermons. Or maybe someone gave you a big hug at just the time when you needed it. Please put on your thinking cap and tell us about your individual moment in history at BUUF. (More to follow)

Thanks To All Who Helped

Our spring event, and Elkhart’s, went well again this year, I think. Elkhart’s on May 3rd, was the kick-off for their pledge drive and ours, on May 17th was an overall spring fellowship dinner with the main emphasis on the kick-off of our 50th Anniversary Year celebration.

The two churches, for the second year in a row, traded work crews, with Sue Betz, Emily Bettencourt and Tom Hackley (along with Evan) helping at Elkhart, and Jerry and Sheila Shaw, Dave Stokely, Doris Stickel and Kenley Inglefield helping out at BUUF. Many of you helped with the BUUF event, as well, and I thank you all. In particular, I want to thank Emily and Chris Sirotiak for doing much of the cooking, Tom Hackley for set-up and sending out invitations, Lizzie and Amy Eklund for all-round help, and Marv and Kate Fuller and others for sharing memories, along with the help of Eric Scott who also surprised us with a wonderful piano piece he had composed himself.

Bea Takeuchi presented the book The Brook Kerith by George Moore to the BUUF library in the name of two of our beloved founders, Kate and Marv. Chris and Patty French from Elkhart again provided some truly great music, Viola closed the event with a blessing, and others brought food and helped clean up.

It truly was a great way to start our year of celebration!

Beth

Beth	Lefever	June 06	HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Marvin	Fuller	June 16
Rev. Dr. Roger	Brewin	June 18
Julie	Williams	June 18
Gregory	Kauffman	June 20
Gene	Whitlow	June 28
Lizzy	Eklund	June 29

The BUUF book club

will meet on June 6th at the home of Sue Betz. We'll be reading:
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini for June
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen and David Oliver Relin for July
Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl for August
Questions? Contact Amy Eklund, amyeklund@comcast.net

BUUF CALENDAR

Fine Arts Sunday

Sunday, August 17th will be the first of what I hope could become a regular event for BUUF: a celebration of our collective creativity. Among us, we have painters, musicians, dancers, poets, photographers, textile artists, writers, actors, gardeners, cooks (ahem), composers, woodcrafters, storytellers... all with talents worth sharing.

For that Sunday’s program, I want to coordinate a wondrous ‘show and tell’ of who we are and what we do. I’ve seen, heard, tasted, and touched your individual gifts on occasion over the past two years since I’ve been back, and I’m hooked: I want more, and a big dose of it! We are a talented bunch and it’s time we acknowledge and celebrate our creative spirits with each other in an inspirational Fine Arts Sunday.

I believe we grow by challenging each other and ourselves. In that spirit, I challenge each of you to contribute to this special exhibition. If you have been inactive, the challenge is to dust yourself off and make something new. If there is something you’ve wanted to try, the challenge is to learn it and share it. If you’re already good at it, show us! It doesn’t have to be perfect; it’s not a competition. It doesn’t have to be big nor complex nor of professional quality. It’s yours; it’s ours. We’re family: consider this opportunity as a big “refrigerator door” on which to strut your stuff. The challenge is to grow: let’s see what we can do this summer.

Many have expressed an interest already. Please think about your own talents and contact me:

Gary Cook
justscience@hotmail.com

Summer WomanSpirit at Ronora Lodge

Join your sisters to experience a weekend of “Walking in Balance” at beautiful, forested Ronora Lodge and Retreat Center. Focusing on relaxation, revitalization and the joy of sisterhood, we will play in a sacred way and restore our balance through workshops and earth-centered rituals. This year we are planning a special Maidens Program as well. To be added to our mailing list, contact Gretchen. For registration questions, contact RegistrarKathryn Vandenberk. Presented by the Women and Religion Committee of the Central Midwest District Unitarian Universalist Association and the SWS 2008 Retreat Committee. www.womenandreligion.org

Caring for Our Fellowship 5/24/08

It looks like our very cool spring is going to finally warm up for Memorial Day and that is just fine with us! Member Janice Zerfas offers this haiku for spring:

snow white blossoms
cool water in winter storm -
I must remember

Spring Fellowship Dinner & 50th Anniversary Kick-Off: It is the promise of white blossoms and cool water that we in the Lake Michigan area remember and look forward to during the long winter. What a good time for our Annual Spring Fellowship Dinner and 50th Anniversary kick-off on May 17th to bring us all together! There were 44 Members and Friends of BUUF who attended. Five of our Friends from the Elkhart UU Fellowship graciously served, cleaned-up and added to the relaxed delicious meal. A special thanks to Chris Sirotiak, Emily Bettencourt, Sue Betz and Gloria for the cooking and sharing of their special recipes. Also, thanks to Dick Berndt for the tasty libations. Kate and Marv Fuller and Eric Scott did an excellent job of entertaining us while providing with some interactive history with the diners. Beth Lefever, Patty and Chris French (piano and clarinet duet) set the musical atmosphere and kept us swinging through the evening. Speaking of atmosphere, we thank Janice Zerfas for providing the beautiful blue pansies and tea lights for the table center pieces. Even the dirty table linen was scooped up by Teresa LaPlante for laundering. Thanks to all who worked and played---it was a very good time!

New Members: BUUF recognizes and welcomes two new members this Sunday: Francie Porter Snyder and Jean Sharp. Francie and her husband Al moved here recently from the Marquette area and she is Director of the Historical Museum in Berrien Springs. Her hobbies include historical textiles and she is a very experienced knitter. The second new member is Jean Sharp, who grew-up in Ann Arbor and comes from four generations of U of Michigan alumni. Less than two years ago she moved permanently from South Bend to her Lake Michigan summer place in Harbert. She has a love for gardening, the environment and her beautiful home reflects the nautical love and history of her family.

Check out both their biographies coming soon In the BUUF and get to know them better when you meet at Fellowship.

Old Friends: It was good to hear from Marcia Laya this month. Marsha became a member in the 1980’s. A year ago she joined her partner, Lee in Sherwood, MI, Branch County. She occasionally attends the Portage UU congregation. A dedicated volunteer to the American Red Cross and her community, she was involved the weekend of BUUF’s Fellowship Dinner in a river and creek clean-up in her area. She writes, “Maggie, my partner's granddaughter, has fully recovered [from a terrible car accident] and will graduate this year from high school. The other girl, Lauren, is still in re-hab hoping to learn to walk again so she can join her classmates and walk to get her diploma. . . Since [my brother’s] murder on Oct 12th this past year, I find my small role with the Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services even more important. I will never forget my brother's words as he hugged me upon my arrival in Detroit: ‘Finally, my family is all here!’ We cried as we all hugged. Family is first.” She also sends her regards to her BUUF friends and said that BUUF was an important part of her life for the years she was involved; as you, Marsha, continue to be in ours.

What’s happening with the Membership Team? Emily plans to put in one more year on Membership; Tom wants to move to a support person role, only for specific activities. We hope to ride on Harvey Johnson’s coat tails of recycling, make BUUF a greener place during coffee hour and events: use the washable coffee mugs, service-wear and plates; continue to put in a coffee donation in the “Fair Trade” Coffeejar on the Refreshment Table. Remember, a total donation into the coffee jar of $3.50 per year, pays the farmer who grew the coffee you are drinking a fair share of the profits!

We are very grateful to Heartha Whitlow for keeping track of supplies and ordering coffee until her accident and subsequent illness since December. Please give us feed-back about how we are doing, either through the Board or directly.

Help Needed: Because of the travel that Emily and Tom do in November and again after the first of the year, a co-leader is badly needed. In addition, Janice Zerfas has been sending out the birthday greetings and because of her new responsibilities as Chair of the English Dept. at Lake Michigan College, she needs someone to share that responsibility.

A team always lightens the load and we are always grateful for someone who is willing to say, “I’d like to help with this responsibility.” Please call Emily Bettencourt or Janice Zerfas, (269) 944-4157, discuss what is needed to help.

To all of you who have pledged, volunteered, attended services, helped out and made BUUF a welcoming place, as well as a Welcoming Congregation—THANK YOU!

Have a great Spring and Summer.
Emily Bettencourt and Tom Hackley
(269) 978-8432 or mle42@comcast.net

New Member Profile

Francie Porter Snyder was born in Alpena, Michigan where her father served as County Sheriff for 32 years. She attended Central Michigan University and received a BA degree with majors in English and Humanities and a minor in History. Francie has two grown children, both married. Jeremy (Noreen) lives in Plymouth, Michigan and is a computer programmer, website designer and web master for an international auto parts company. His true love is rock and roll and he plays lead guitar and sings in two bands. Kristen (Greg) lives in Holland, Michigan and is the contracts counsel for Gentex Corporation. She is currently working toward her MBA. Kristen is also Ella’s mother. Ella is Francie’s “perfect” granddaughter. Francie is married to Allen Snyder. Allen is self-described as a “prenatal Lutheran” and usually attends Lutheran services on Sunday. They became re-acquainted at their high school class reunion in 2005 and were married in 2006. Although they do not share the same views about religion and politics, they both love family, their garden, hockey and baseball. Francie is the Executive Director of The History Center at Courthouse Square in Berrien Springs. In addition to administration, she has expertise in antique textiles and textile conservation. In her spare time, Francie enjoys fiber arts, especially Norwegian knitting, spinning and quilting.

Francie identifies herself as a secular humanist. She believes that every individual has the capacity for greatness within himself or herself. Francie also believes in transcendence, the ability to rise above fear and insecurity and strive for excellence in interpersonal relationships, work and all endeavors. She joined BUUF because she believes Unitarian Universalism Fellowship encourages the process by embracing all people and supporting everyone’s journey. She loves the services because the sermons and readings are thought provoking and songs are great. Before moving to St. Joseph, she attended the UU Fellowship in Marquette, Michigan. She is particularly interested in liberal political and social justice issues.

Goddesses Blog

Photos from our recent Cakes class are posted to the blog at www.cakesforthequeenofheaven.org