Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, Oregon 1/26/05 Newsletter

On Saturday, February 12, we’ll host a Valentine Dance. At 7 p.m. professional ballroom instructor Jack Holloway will offer another dance lesson, and dancing will begin at 8. The music will be recorded, especially for ballroom dancing–good tempo, great beat, easy to dance to.

Admission, which includes the lesson, is $2.50 per person. Please bring a plate of munchies to share and BYOB. We are attempting to keep the cost down so that everyone may participate

Childcare is FREE but MUST be arranged in advance. For this, or for further information, call Marian Robison or Nancy Jackson.

I write this reflection on the eve of President Bush’s second inauguration on January 20, 2005, and this has stirred up a memory of a visit I made to Washington D.C. with my family a couple of years ago. One blessedly cool August afternoon, after visiting the Viet Nam War Memorial – which lists the names of the tens of thousands who died in that tragic conflict – we wandered over to the Lincoln Memorial.

To my mind, Lincoln was perhaps the greatest president in our nation’s history, the greatest soul to occupy that high office, and certainly the most eloquent. Inscribed high on the walls inside the monument are his Gettysburg address (which includes a phrase Lincoln borrowed from the Unitarian Minister Theodore Parker characterizing our democracy as “government of the people, by the people, for the people”) and words from his second inaugural address.

Feeling as I do about Lincoln, I entered the memorial with a sense of appreciation and reverence. I began reading the words of the Gettysburg address to my son Zachary and then words from the stirring second inaugural address – the shortest such address in American history, delivered when the end of the Civil War was clearly in sight and the Union victory certain. I wasn’t too far along before I felt a lump in my throat and started choking up as I struggled to read Lincoln’s sage advice to a bitterly divided nation: “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan – to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”

Great souls touch the greatness we all have inside of us. Were this not so, their words, deeds, music and art would merely seem strange and foreign to us. But they do not. Our nation has recognized the nobility of Lincoln’s sentiments because they awaken the nobility of our own souls. When we look deep inside ourselves, we know that he spoke not just for himself, but for the best in all of us. To insure that we did not forget, these unifying words have been enshrined inside his memorial and read by countless millions.

As President Bush begins his second term of office there is much bitterness in the land, and many – both on the left and right – feel malice toward those on the opposite side of the political spectrum. It’s good to put things in historical perspective, to remember that there was another time when the divisions in our nation were much greater, more tragic, and resulted in more carnage than in any other conflict.

Lincoln’s words remind us that we can forswear our malice without forswearing our struggles “to do all which may achieve a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.” He did his part before the assassin’s bullet brought him down. Now it’s up to us to do ours.

Love, Rick

Kudos Korner

I want to continue highlighting people who have been involved in our Religious Education programs. Some were in the program last year and some continue into 2005.

The Junior High OWL (Our Whole Lives) sexuality education program was taught by Jean Logan and Joel Martin. They were assisted by parent volunteers Anne Hanus, Stephen and Darlene Henderson, Leah Knudsen, and Paul and Amra Marche. This important program is a shining example of preparing our youth for understanding themselves and others as they continue to mature and grow. We appreciate those who are leading them.

One of the more enjoyable RE responsibilities is working in the nursery. There have been a number of people who have helped took care of the young ones during the fall. These have included Jo Bateman, Adele Birnbaum, Vicki Cunningham, Gillian Eames, Chris Ferguson, Devin Ferguson, Colleen Henery, Ellen Howard, Lori Jenkins, Ann Kresge, Amra Marche, Sandra Meredith, Careylynn Patterson, Karen Piter, Marian Robison, Maggie Shank, Diana Stallard, and Louella Wood.

Finally, several adult RE programs were offered during the fall. These programs were led by Kay Cogswell, Dina Triest, and Don Wolf.

Our hats are off to all of these people who help with our Religious Education programs. Their services benefit us all.

Featuring these people and their services should also make you aware that each UUCS member could find a place somewhere to be involved in the RE programs. Just let DRE Claire Diehl know of your interests and she will help you enjoy your RE experience.

Chuck Howard

The decrease in food donations to Marion-Polk Food Share in 2004 was more than compensated for by the increase in cash donations. Food contributions in the summer of 2004 were somewhat lower than usual.

The Circle & Arrow Men's Group will meet on Sunday, February 6th, at 6:00 p.m. in the church library. The presentation is entitled “Cupid & Courtship in the 21st Century: What Mores Will Confront our Kids?” Lee Coyne and fellow members of the Keizer Mind Openers (Toastmasters affiliate) will use a storytelling format to share their insights on the changing shape of marriage and just what it implies for the future of society.

The next Women's Alliance meeting will be on Thursday, February 3, at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Long-time member Elsa Struble will be the speaker. All church women are invited to join us for an enjoyable evening.

Twenty- and Thirty-somethings will meet after coffee hour, around 12:30, at Thompson's Brewery on Sunday, February 13th. Come grab a bite to eat, or just a drink. Hope to see you! Elissa Szymanczyk

Seattle UU Jeanne Lamont launched www.UUsingles.com, the first on-line dating service designed exclusively for religious liberals. It was warmly received at this year’s General Assembly and there are already over 100 names in her data base. The site welcomes suggestions, contains no advertising, is funded entirely by members’ dues – and 10% of her profits go to the UU Service Committee.

Dr. Marilyn Sewell, senior minister at Portland’s First Unitarian Church, will present an all day workshop entitled “Breaking Free: Women of Spirit at Mid-Life and Beyond” through Chemeketa Community College on Friday, February 11. The $120 fee includes meals. Information: alank@chemeketa.edu.

When you submit an item for the newsletter, please give your name and phone number or email. (Tell us if you don’t want a “by line.”) It’s hard to know what to do with anonymous submissions.

Don Wolf and Rick Davis continue to lead the Sunday morning forum at 9:15. The book currently being discussed is John Buehrens’ Understanding the Bible: An Introduction for Skeptics, Seekers, and Religious Liberals. Everyone is welcome.

The newly organized Salem HUUmanists will meet at 12:30 p.m. on February 6 at the church. The agenda will include discussion of the by-laws and the officers to be elected at a later date, as well as discussion of future programs and activities. Snacks will be available. Nancy Jackson

During Office Administrator Rose Drake’s recovery from gall bladder and hernia surgery, the office was staffed by volunteers Delores Lusk, Marian Robison, and Elsa Struble, with help from Rick Davis, Claire Diehl, and Dennis Harrison. Rose sends her thanks to them all. She will be working shortened hours for a while.

Board Members Present: Chair Chuck Howard, David Boaz, Jon Diehl, Angela Herrera, Lois Nodland, Marian Robison, Rev. Rick Davis Also Present: RE Director Claire Diehl, Lori Jenkins Absent: Wilson Wyant

New Board Member: A motion was made and seconded to approve Lori Jenkins to fill the recent Board vacancy. The motion carried unanimously. The appointment is until the May, 2005, annual meeting.

December Minutes: The December minutes were approved after clarification of David Boaz’ motion, seconded by Angela Herrera and carried by the Board, about inviting or not inviting the PNWD Contact Team. The Board had voted not to take action at the December meeting, but to delay a decision until completion of the written report on the Board’s actions as a result of the October 30 open meeting.

Treasurer and Finance Reports: Treasurer Marian Robison provided a brief overview of the Balance Sheet, and Revenue and Expense Reports for December. She said that during the first six months of this fiscal year (50% of the year) we have received only 46% of the total budgeted income. Expenditures to the end of December have been 47% of the budgeted amount. This resulted in an over-expenditure of $1,846.

ONGOING BUSINESS

Simenfalva restructuring: Bank accounts in Salem and Simenfalva are being restructured, but the process has not been completed. Chuck, Marian and Rick will keep the Board informed.

Transition Team Report/financial support: No action was taken on financial support of the Transition Team.

PNWD Annual General Meeting – delegates/financial support: The UUCS can send five delegates to the Pacific Northwest District annual meeting in Portland in February. Six members indicated interest. A motion was made and seconded to name Mary Sohlstrom, Jane Fields, Roger Gillette, Chuck Howard and Ken Erickson delegates, and Petra Berger alternate. The motion includes an explanation that the first five people to indicate interest were designated delegates. The motion carried.

Turn title of car over to minister – Marian Robison: A motion was made and seconded to transfer the title for the 1990 Accura Legend to Rick. The car has 250,000 miles on the odometer and is valued at approximately $700. Rick has purchased tires and parts and pays all maintenance costs. The church pays only insurance. The motion carried.

Mid-year Board Retreat: The Board postponed its retreat until February 12. ACTION: Rick will invite the Committee on Ministry.

Performing Arts Team – David Boaz: A motion was made and seconded that the Board approve establishment of a Performing Arts Team. The motion carried unanimously. ACTION: David will present an organizational structure proposal at the next Board meeting.

Changes to Rose Drake’s contract/other personnel changes: Rose has served UUCS as Office Administrator for three years and her employment contract has not included a sick leave benefit. A motion was made and seconded to provide one day a month sick leave retroactive to July 1, 2003. The motion carried unanimously.

DRE Claire Diehl announced that Natasha Gerhart, Associate DRE, has resigned effective January 31. The Board congratulated Natasha on her new job and thanked her for the work she has done at the UUCS. A motion was made and seconded to accept her resignation and to ask the Personnel Committee to make temporary arrangements until her position is filled. The motion carried with Jon Diehl abstaining.

UUCS participation in workshop at Hillsboro Church: The UUCS has been asked to participate in a workshop in Hillsboro on March 13. ACTION: David will read/review the book The Almost Church, by Mike Durrall and make recommendations on participation.

Headphones for hearing impaired users: The issue was referred to John Prohodsky and the Operations Committee for exploration. They are empowered to purchase up to ten sets of headphones.

REPORTS

Minister’s Report: Rick provided a written report. Rick will talk with celebrants at Sunday Services about assisting people going up and down the riser at the front of the church. The Board voted to recommend that the Operations Team develop policies to make all parts of the building safe and accessible for all.

Betty Reese, UUCS’ eldest member, will celebrate her 93^rd birthday on February 1! She is always interested in news of our community, and will certainly enjoy a shower of cards and good wishes from those who remember her during her active years. She is now confined to a wheelchair, making church attendance challenging.

Next weekend UUCS member Harriet Trill will accompany her husband Glen Kaye to Estes Park, Colorado, headquarters of Rocky Mountain National Park, where Glen served as chief of interpretation from 1981 to 1988. The first of 16 speakers throughout the year celebrating the Park’s 90^th anniversary, his will be the keynote address: “What Parks Have Meant to Us as a People.”

And congratulations to Tim Patterson, recent winner of the Humor Speech contest for the Capitol Area Division of Toastmasters!

Diana Nicholson-Nelson expressed appreciation for the “tons of support” from friends and family who think her great and deserving, but despite this she was rejected once again in her bid as applicant to the OHSU physician assistant graduate program. Her rejection letter began, “It was a difficult decision...,” and her candid reaction is, “My interview had not felt strong, so I am not completely surprised that I did not get it, but it is deeply disappointing. I have been plodding along for this goal for a long time!”

Millie Rochester, former UUCS DRE and now ordained UU minister in Chicago, updates us on her breast cancer treatment: “I am pleased with my recent medical oncologist appointment, confirming that I’m doing very well.” A 12 week course of chemotherapy began last week.

Stan Mayfield wrote of his and Mako Hayashi-Mayfield’s first Christmas in Japan: “It was almost non-existent. We had our Christmas cake on Christmas Eve, but that was about it for celebration. On Christmas Day we had our first lunch at Makudonarudo (McDonald’s); Mako said the teri burger was pretty good! New Year’s brought more in the way of celebratory activities: they rang the bells at Nishi Betsuin Temple 108 times to rid the world of the 108 temptations we are subject to.

“A more popular activity is to visit a shrine. Temples are Buddhist and shrines are Shinto. One visits a shrine to give recognition to ancestors and make wishes for the new year, and buy charms (omamori) to help protect you, keep you healthy, protect your car, whatever you need for the new year. Many buy fortunes (omikuji) on paper, which are then tied to the branches of trees.”

Condolences to Diana Stallard and her family, who have been in Michigan following the recent death of her mother.

Ellen Howard is about at mid-point on a children’s book authors’ “team” for the semi-annual, two-week seminar at Vermont College, Montpelier, Vermont. The 15 writers who comprise the team present seminars and tutorials for the college students, who continue with curricula via correspondence for the balance of the term, each writer serving as mentor to four students.

Marianna Bornholdt was scheduled to have cardiac surgery January 24 and then recuperate in the Benedictine nursing home in Mt. Angel.

Welcome back to Jo Bateman from another trip to San Diego with Attraction Tours!

The idyllic cruise of the so-called “Mexican Riviera” ends this week for Marge and Dick French, Bill and Iris Sea, and Sharon and Marian Dearman. Then Marge and Dick will join the Seas at their Palm Desert winter home before driving northward to visit Marge’s daughters and families in Santa Maria and Santa Cruz.

Dani Adams and her traveling companion are spending the month touring Costa Rica.

Rhea and Bill Devery are driving a southwest loop to include time in Palm Springs, Los Angeles, Yuma, and northern Mexico.

Your news, both joys and concerns, shared with others, brings our community closer to one another.

Contributions may be sent to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, Attn: Dr. Charles Clements, 130 Prospect Street, Cambridge, MA 02139-1845, with “for tsunami victims” on the memo line.

The failure of globalism and growth-oriented economic development policies to deliver on the promise of a better world is starkly evident. Where should we point our hopes? Dr. Sonntag is a practitioner, researcher, and activist in alternative economics, focusing on putting the vision of sustainable local economies into practice.

For the past several years the first Sunday in February has been “Youth Sunday.” The youth are in charge of the entire service, and they have never failed to inspire and uplift us, usually in some very creative and original ways. Your presence at this service is important for two reasons – it will enrich you, and it will show your loving support for our youth.

We have a phenomenal success story to share. In 1999 a new children’s advocacy group was founded by Jonah Edelman here in Oregon (and in several other key states). Members of our congregation have been very active since the beginning. Our organization’s primary motivation is our love for children. We work to promote and protect their unique needs and interests. Come learn what Stand for Children has done and help us dream about what we can do in the future.

Wednesday, February 2 Evensong, first meeting, 7 p.m. (also Wednesday, Feb. 9)

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, Oregon

ONGOING BUSINESS

REPORTS