The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, Oregon

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem

5090 Center St. NE

Salem, Oregon 97301

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

January 7, 2004

Items for the newsletter may be placed in the newsletter box in the church office or mailed to the editor c/o the church office at the address above. Items gladly accepted on disk or by email. (email for next issue to editors@uusalem.org)

Linda Geissler has resigned as Director of Religious Education because her graduate studies are becoming more time consuming. Claire Diehl, who has been Associate DRE, is now acting as DRE until a formal search is completed. Claire continues her oversight of the youth and adult programs while handling administrative duties for the entire religious education program.

Therefore, the UUCS personnel committee (Karen Piter, Lois Nodland, and Marian Robison) is looking for someone to be responsible for our children’s RE (10 hours per week) until permanent staff is in place. This might be a great way to ‘test the waters’ before jumping in to apply for a permanent position.

The (acting) Associate Director of Religious Education will be on duty all but one Sunday a month, welcoming new families, implementing children’s worship, and ensuring the smooth running of the children’s program. He or she will work with the Acting DRE and the minister, meeting with them weekly, and also with the RE Team.

Interested? Send a letter of interest and a resume to Karen Piter in care of the church by January 15. For more information, contact any member of the personnel committee or Claire Diehl or Linda Geissler.

Sometimes I am asked to write letters of reference and recommendation. Not being the harshest judge of human character ever to walk the earth, I tend to see the good in others and accentuate the positive. But I can’t always get away with this. When people who are preparing for the ministry ask me to fill out a letter of recommendation form for our UUA’s Ministerial Fellowship Committee (MFC) one request on this form is pretty clear: "General laudatory comments alone are not helpful." In other words, if I can’t point out some shortcomings or "growing edges" of an individual, my glowing assessment loses its luster. The MFC is called to discern who has the potential to thrive in our ministry and who will probably fail and possibly do some harm. If there are serious concerns about someone’s fitness for the ministry the MFC deserves to know.

All well and good, but this leaves me in the position of having to discern where a person’s growing edges are and how best to describe them. Then I must follow up with some personal contact to tell the individual what I meant by what I said.

But what happens when someone without any flaws or foibles wants to become a minister? Forget it. The Ministerial Fellowship Committee knows better. Every one of us has some aspect of our makeup that could use some touching up. Everyone. Maybe Jesus and Buddha were absolutely perfect, but I doubt it. Certainly, none of the saints and sages of whom we have accurate historical accounts were without flaws. It’s a given that we all have our shortcomings and our growing edges.

Here’s an idea. To address this situation we could have an annual "Find the Flaws in Others Sunday" (or for those more biblically inclined a "Find the Speck in Another’s Eye and Ignore the Log in Your Own Sunday"). We could take turns chastising others for their shortcomings and admonishing them to "get with the program." Wouldn’t that be fun? Well, maybe not. Attendance might take a dip that Sunday. Let’s drop that idea.

Here’s a better idea. Forget about changing others (guaranteed to fail unless they, too, see the need) and focus on how each one of us might grow and change (it is possible). At the beginning of the year or some other auspicious time, take a complete break from blaming others or bemoaning the hand that life has dealt you. Let go of feeling like a victim. Recognize how you might be responsible for some of the mess the world is in and also for some of the problems in your life. Recognize how you need not be a passive witness to life but can be an active moral agent in the world, empowered to serve the common good.

In our liberal religious tradition, we take responsibility for discovering our own theology. So, too, are we charged to discern areas for growth. Certainly, trusted and supportive friends can help us discover our blind spots, but the responsibility for this change and growth lies with each one of us. As for me, I’m on a meandering path of growth, but there are many miles to go before I sleep.

Love, Rick

Circle Saturday, February 28, on your calendar and plan to join many UUCS friends at what might well be the most important church dinner all year. That evening, you'll enjoy fine food and drink, entertainment (with a twist!) and laughter–and the opportunity to strengthen a unique force in the community. All members and friends will receive personal invitations; child care will be provided.

At this Pledge Dinner, we will lay groundwork for a year that is certain to hold challenges for us, some definitely serious and some delightful. During the evening we will ask for your pledges to the 2004-05 operating budget, which will have a lot to do with how well we can meet those challenges. More details about the budget and prospects for the next year will be in future newsletters.

The Canvass Team, headed by Rocky Evans and Robert Johnson, is working to fill Hanneman Hall to the brim on February 28, but if you can't be there they'll arrange for a canvasser to call on you at a time convenient for you.

Hopefully, you can be part of what promises to be an effervescent evening, the kickoff of a remarkable new year. See you February 28!

It is time for the winter series of orientation—time to learn more about Unitarian Universalism, its religious traditions and our congregational life.

The winter schedule is:

January 18—Orientation

February 8—Path to Membership

March 7—New Member Recognition

Are you curious and want to learn more about Unitarian Universalism? Come to the Orientation on January 18, 2003, in Rick’s office following the morning service, and he will answer questions and present information. Perhaps you are a newcomer or maybe you have been around for quite some time. This is your opportunity to join with others who are interested in learning about our congregation.

At our last UUA General Assembly in Boston, President Bill Sinkford said that one of the best ways for congregations to promote racial justice was to forge ties to the NAACP. We’re doing just that. Recently, our Board of Directors invited the Salem Keizer NAACP to hold its monthly general meetings here (on the third Thursday of each month). If you are interested in helping to serve as a host or congregational liaison for these meetings we’d love to hear from you. Contact either Stella Jean Hill or John Roy Wilson.

Wouldn’t it be great to talk about subjects important to you with like-minded others? Music, art, literature, sports, world religions, philosophy, social justice, family life, knitting, computers, gardening, and cooking—or whatever else strikes your fancy—could be the focus of a new covenant group. To get a group going all you need to do is attend the covenant group facilitator training on two nights in January—the 21^st and 28^th—from 7 to 9 p.m. at the church. Before you know it, you’ll be connecting with others at UUCS who share your passions, enriching your life and theirs. How about it? Take a chance.

A new Inclusion Statement for UUCS has been proposed to replace the one currently on the order of service. Board members have been working on the revision for several months, and one aim was to keep it succinct yet inclusive. The current draft revision is printed here for your review, and any feedback you provide to any Board member is welcome. The intent is to put a final draft of the revised statement to a congregational vote during our annual meeting this coming May. Here is the proposed revision:

We are a Welcoming Congregation that values diversity and invites everyone into the life of our religious community, without regard to disability, ethnicity, race, faith, or sexual orientation.

Petra S. Berger

Only basic skills are required! UUCS is planning a NEW BANNER, and you can be part of this creative enterprise. The UUCS Banner is displayed at General Assembly, UU District meetings, and other UU events, and has a place of honor in our building. The motif for the new Banner is our beautiful window and chalice in the sanctuary.

Nancy Murphy, a friend of UUCS and long-time UU, has a dream to create this new Banner for our church. She has generously offered her time, talent, and professional expertise to guide a "Circle of Quilters," including beginners with basic skills, over a period of about two months during weekly 2-hour work sessions at her studio, beginning in early February. Nancy will provide choices of window design from which to choose, as well as offer coaching in the Art of Quilting. If you share in this dream, and can make the commitment, please contact her as soon as possible. Thanks much for your enthusiasm and commitment.

CALLING FOR FEEDBACK ABOUT DESIGN OF THE NEW UUCS BANNER: Nancy will sketch and post a few different ways to frame the window design from our sanctuary for everyone to view in the next few weeks and to choose a favorite. Please contact Nancy BY JANUARY 26, 2004 with your choice and suggestions about the new UUCS Banner,.

Our SIHN (Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network) guest families enjoyed making cookies and decorating them with Kristen and crew, drawing caricatures with Lee Coyne, and receiving Christmas gifts, including books, from Pam Ruona. We hosted only two families until Friday, after two other families left suddenly on Sunday. We had many of our faithful volunteers and some great new ones, including Lisa Jorgensen, Ann Kresge, Janet Neuberg, and Kelly Noor and her boys. Thanks to all.

The soup kitchen at Jason Lee Methodist church on Sunday Dec. 21 was well attended. We served approximately 60 guests; quite a few children were present also. Luckily, we had just enough soup so that no one went away hungry!

The kind volunteers who made soup, served soup, or helped in the clean up included: Mary Murphy, John Clay, Chuck and Ellen Howard, Dave and Virginia Cozart, Ken and Joan Erickson, Barbara Hanneman, Barbara Fisk, Rhea Devery, Andy Barber, Lisa Robertson, Jill Baker, Angie Denning, Jody Ehrp, and Ben Hime. John Clay even provided some toys for the children! John is such a clown! Thank you one and all. If I missed acknowledging anyone, I apologize.

Our next commitment for the soup kitchen is Sunday, February 15. Anyone wishing to join our band of "Merry Soup Pranksters" please contact me.

If you are interested in Adult Religious Education, be sure to turn to the RE insert in this newsletter, where you’ll find a list of class offerings for this winter. Announcements are also posted on the church web page and will soon be posted on the bulletin board outside the RE office. Claire Diehl

Frames from the wreaths made by farm workers’ wives may be recycled at the church. Please cut off the greens and bring only the frames Sunday, January 11. The trunk of my silver Honda Civic will be open.

Prepare to vote on Measure 30 by attending an informational session on Oregon’s tax structure after the January 11 service. This is sponsored by our political action covenant groups and presented by Citizens for Oregon’s Future.

Lunch Bunch meets at noon on Wednesday, January 14, at the India Palace, 377 Court St. Everyone is welcome; just call Fred Ratzeburg to make a reservation.

Come to the Conversation Café in the Fellowship Hall after the January 18 service. Look for a table that has a subject which you’d like to talk about for approximately half an hour. The conversations will be facilitated by our Junior Youth, who have learned to have conversations that involve everyone in the group.

Transylvanian Scenery: Donna Loveland has heard that the civil war movie Cold Mountain was largely shot in the Carpathian Mountains ringing Transylvania and that the scenery shown is gorgeous. This could be a way to visit the mountains of which the members of our partner church are quite proud.

Could you share/loan slides from your time in foreign countries? Please call Lee Coyne. A monthly adult education series on "Overseas Travel: Sites and Insights" is under consideration.

Lighting a candle at church ten days ago to celebrate their great joy, Lydia Gutierrez and Alma Marianos announced their marriage over the Christmas holiday, in Vancouver, British Columbia!

Congratulations to Sarah Glassburner, though we’re sorry to lose her. She’s moving to Gold Beach to be an Assistant District Attorney for Curry County.

UUCS members joined in the spirit of joy at Roy and Delta Ockert’s home last Sunday, following news (and pictures) of the successful landing of NASA’s ‘Spirit’ on planet Mars and the first steps of its planned experiments! Their son-in-law, Dr. Jim Bell, is in charge of cameras for both probes.

Mary Sohlstrom reports that her husband Mac is now receiving skilled nursing care following surgery for an aortic aneurysm. She attributes her continued strength to weather this crisis to the loving concerns of our community.

Congratulations to Maudie Peterson at the birth of granddaughter Hannah, born to Maudie’s daughter, Bree, and her husband Dan Loyd of Vancouver, Washington. That happy event was shared with a celebration of Maudie’s daughter Cheryl’s first year of remission from breast cancer.

Congratulations to Sue and Ken Strong at the home birth a week before Christmas of Talon Strong Holmquist to their daughter Laura and her husband, Brett Holmquist, in Big Fork, Montana.

Congratulations to Charlotte Riester upon her engagement to Dennis Fisher of Denver, Colorado. He will move to Salem in early summer and hopes to relocate his professional work in data-base management to the area. Some months ago Charlotte reported to us that both of her step-sons were to be deployed to the war zones. Currently, Justin remains in Afghanistan, but Jared’s earlier orders to Iraq were rescinded and he is based in the U.S.

Condolences to Cherie Ulmer and her family at the death of her mother, Georgiana Ulmer, in Salem. Rick will officiate at a memorial service at the Oregon State School for the Deaf on January 17.

Condolences to Shirley and Durwood Gregory at the death of Shirley’s mother, Marjorie Skillen, in Salem. A memorial service was held at church last Friday.

Snow birds: a number of UUCS members travel south for all or part of each winter. Mary Ann Kaestner keeps a permanent, winter address in Palm Springs. Bill and Iris Sea are wintering in their RV at Desert Hot Springs, California, while Marge and Dick French, after visiting Marge’s daughters enroute, spend warm days in their RV in Palm Desert.

And Donna Canning shares a home at Lake Chappala, in Hidalgo, Mexico, with daughter Terry, and often welcomes other UU snow-escapees. The Frenches plan to visit her soon. Bill and Rhea Devery will spend several weeks in February at their time-share in Mazatlan, Mexico, joined there by Bill’s sister and her husband. Nancy Jackson and Bob Wallace are off to the sun in Malta until January 19, while Sharon and Marion Dearman will find sun in Hawaii in February.

While some escape the winter by heading south, other members and friends traveled during the recent holidays. Jean Logan, Jean’s son Adam, and Tom Lancefield attended a second reunion with Jean’s family in Minneapolis. Elsa and George Struble have just returned from a visit with children and grandchildren in Indianapolis. Jane Manning and her mother, Kay Young, visited family in Michigan.

Old-timers from FUSSO days, pre-dating UUCS, will remember Norma Joyce, former wife of pastor Adolf Weidanz, who ministered the fellowship in the middle sixties. Norma was a popular RE teacher and friend to many, with on-going contacts that continued over the years. She is now living in Eugene, and continues her volunteer social work in the State’s prison system.

If you have joys or concerns that you are willing to share with others, please contact me.

The Hockins were once members of the Unity Church; a period of time with no church affiliation made them realize they missed the social contacts and exploration of spirituality that a church provides. They are delighted with their discovery of our congregation and especially like the joys and concerns portion of our services. Sally is interested in joining a covenant group.

Tom and Carol Ferron are retired civil service employees. Carol held positions in the Oregon Department of Transportation, Legislative Assembly, and Department of Education. Tom worked for the U.S. Departments of Defense and Health, Education and Welfare and also for several state agencies.

Carol enjoys classical music, reading, computers, sewing, interior decorating, and studying feng shui principles. Tom likes backpacking and hiking, travel, photography, and volunteer work.

Welcome also to Don and Anne Alexander, who will be profiled later.

Thanks to Sandra Bovee of the New Member Committee for this information.

Rev. Rick will be having his annual pulpit exchange with his colleague in Corvallis. Regarding her sermon, Gretchen writes "Each of us has something that is most meaningful for us, whether we are conscious of it or not. Let's explore some of the possibilities, not to find the definitive, but to expand the pool."

As our nation prepares to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, let’s consider how his greatest dreams are not even recognized and acknowledged. In doing this we will pay this fallen martyr the greatest respect.

Sunday, January 11 Stand for Children, after service

Oregon’s Tax Structure, after service

Monday, January 12 UU Meditation, 7 p.m. (every Monday)

YRUU Group, 7 – 9 p.m. (every Monday)

Wednesday, January 14 Lunch Bunch, India Palace

Sunday, January 18 Newcomer Orientation, after service

Conversation Café, after service

Newsletter deadline, 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday, January 21 Cov. Group Facilitator Training, 7-9 p.m.

Drumming Circle, 7-8 p.m.

Thursday, January 22 NAACP Meeting, evening