The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, Oregon

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem

5090 Center St. NE

Salem, Oregon 97301

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

February 3, 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)

TWO EVENTS AT UUCS ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5

If you happen to notice my car (1990 Acura Legend) parked somewhere around town but don’t see the driver’s side seat, please consider that the equivalent of a "Do Not Disturb" sign. Chances are, I’ve reclined the seat, and I’m taking a nap. That’s right, true confession: I’m a car napper.

Sometimes when I’m driving around to meetings or appointments, I’ll feel drowsy, especially in the early afternoons - not too surprising considering that I often try to get by on less than seven hours sleep a night. So I pull over, lay back in the car, and I fall asleep almost instantly. Next thing I know, I’m waking up about ten minutes later, feeling incredibly refreshed, but not knowing where the heck I am until I sit up and re-orient myself. I relish these short naps. In my church office or at home I can be disturbed at any time. But in the car, no one bothers me and I can catch a little shuteye.

Even as I have confessed to you that I take naps I felt that I had to justify this by mentioning that I sleep less than eight hours at night and that my naps are short ones. This is because we live in such a workaholic culture – the most productive, hardworking, "nose to the grindstone" of all the major industrial powers, except possibly Japan. Although studies consistently show that an afternoon nap is congruent with the natural rhythms of the human body and makes us more alert and effective overall, American culture frowns upon this. We feel we must be doing, going, producing all the time.

Personally, I’d say that we are still in the dark ages as far as knowing how to live graceful, joyous lives. Or as the poet Wordsworth put it: "getting and spending we lay waste our powers."

Well here is one thing you can do to help move our culture out of such dark ages: join a Covenant Group. Briefly, covenant groups are composed of from five to a dozen members who meet at least once a month for two hours. A designated facilitator provides a basic structure to the meetings: a chalice lighting; check in (a brief opportunity for everyone to say how they are doing); a focus on a particular topic of discussion (philosophical, spiritual, social, ethical, artistic – the sky is the limit) for the bulk of the time. The meeting ends with a closing reading. Covenant groups allow us to slow down and be with others, deepen our connections and explore meaningful issues.

We started covenant groups here last year, and a number of you are in them now. All across our Unitarian Universalist movement, hundreds of congregations are forming such groups because they meet a need that has too long been denied in our frantic, fast paced society – the need to slow down and form deeper, meaningful relationships with others. (It’s harder to do this during the coffee hour or at a committee meetings). Look in this newsletter for announcements regarding the formation of new groups and opportunities to join existing groups soon. We will have Covenant Group signups after service on Sunday March 7.

Concluding advice: take naps and join a covenant group. They’ll both be good for you.

Love, Rick

The UUCS Board of Directors has recognized that we are in the midst of creating a new dynamic. Our growth to 250 members and our building expansion are indicators that we may need to consider constructive changes in the way we organize and do things. The workshop in Seattle this past January was the first step for the Transition Team to learn a process with which to explore transition from a pastoral to a program congregation. Your Transition Team is using a manual (Raising the Roof) which has tried and true resources to help plan for this effort. You, the congregation, will be invited to engage in guiding the transition. Transition means change and change can be exciting - or perhaps frightening. With orderly thoughtful steps we can work our way through appropriate change and create a stronger congregational presence. The members of your Transition Team are Pat Smith (Chair), Sandra Meredith (Co-chair), Chuck Howard, Donna Loveland, Claire Diehl, Angela Herrera, Rick Davis, David Boaz and Jon Walton.

Completion of the Hanneman Fellowship Hall has been a boon for the UUCS. We are again able to enjoy time together after services and several church activities are planned using the hall. Word has already spread among other organizations that it is a top-notch facility.

The Board of Directors has created a Facilities Use Subcommittee and is seeking UUCS members to serve on this four-member subcommittee. The members will evaluate organizations that apply for use of any of the facilities at UUCS, determine whether the organization is an appropriate one to use the facilities and, if so, what fees are to be charged. Updated guidelines for fees and use have recently been adopted by the board.

We also need several people to serve as an Events Liaison with outside organizations that rent the building. The Events Liaison would be in contact with the organization and would work out details of usage. That person would also be present during the time the organization is using the building to answer questions and serve as a host/hostess.

If you are interested in serving on the Facilities Use Subcommittee or being an Events Liaison contact Pam Williams or Donna Loveland.

Chuck Howard

Celebrant/Anchor Meeting

It is time for the Sunday service Celebrant/Anchor quarterly meeting. We will share what has worked well and should be continued, what can be improved and what we may want to try in the future. Come with your ideas and be prepared to sign-up for Sunday services through the end of June.

We will meet in the sanctuary on Saturday, February 7th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Please contact George Piter, Jeff Geissler or Mike Berger if you have questions or will not be able to attend.

Circle Suppers had their problems this month with snow and ice. Thanks to the hosts and guests for their understanding and flexibility, as we needed to reschedule the dinners until street conditions were safer. Thank you to Kristen and Bruce Hunt, and Ellen and Chuck Howard for volunteering to host dinners. Marion and I hosted two dinners. We had 12 brand new diners this time, as well as the usual suspects. The next Circle Supper will be in March. Jean Logan will be notifying you as to the date. Try to attend the next one; you will have a wonderful time.

Our patio plantings behind Hanneman Hall will be coming into their own this spring. Be sure to step out and enjoy! Sincere thanks to Iris Sea for her inspired planting design which has carried out the plan drawn by Bonnie Heitsch. Bill Sea has installed an irrigation system for the area.

The money to construct the patio has come from Landscape Committee funds (grading and concrete) and the Keith Bateman Memorial Fund (steps and handrails). The last part of Bonnie’s patio plan calls for a privacy fence to define the area and partially block sight and sound from Cordon Road. New funds will be needed as Landscape funds are depleted and no money is appropriated from the Operations Budget for landscape work.

The Annual Plant sale held each spring by the Landscape Committee will be the initial effort. The Committee needs all gardeners who start spring gardening to divide perennial clumps to pot some plants for us. You could also pot groundcover and grow cuttings from your houseplants. The more plants we have to sell the more money we can raise!

Since the Plant Sale alone will not bring in enough money to pay for the fence, the Landscape Committee is conferring with the Board of Directors about how the Committee can raise the remainder of the money needed. In the spring, the Committee will schedule a Sunday coffee presentation for discussion with the congregation about landscape and fence plans.

The UUCS next hosting has been moved up two weeks to February 29 to March 7. Look for sign up sheets at the church in a week or so. Loraine Stuart

WHAT DOES THE SUNDAY SERVICE TEAM DO, and how can I get involved?

Well, if you ever asked yourself that question, this is the time to find out - because YOU ARE INVITED to join now. This team is an enthusiastic group of creative organizers who look at each monthly Lay Service Sunday (without our minister in the pulpit) as a welcome challenge to round out the wonderful Sunday programs that are offered at UUCS year 'round.

The team also coordinates the Summer Service Programs in July and August of each year, and provides active support and coordination of the Celebrant/ Anchor coverage for 52 Sundays per year.

So…....if you feel that this Team is your special 'Cup of Tea,' let's drink it together. You'll like the dedication of the team to their core purpose - helping to create deep meaning and beauty on select Sunday mornings for all who come through our doors.

The Team meets the first Sunday of each month at 9 a.m. at UUCS, and we will conduct a planning meeting this coming February 21 (Saturday) from 9 to noon at UUCS. Can you attend - even if just to find out if this is a good fit for you??

For more information please call Mike Berger.

The planning stages for producing our new UUCS banner are coming along well, thanks to Nancy Murphy. As you know, the chosen motif for the new Banner is our beautiful window and chalice in the sanctuary.

Nancy offered a successful roundtable discussion on January 25 about first design patterns and appreciated lots of valuable feedback, as well as a core circle of committed volunteers to work with her. Nancy will next post a mock-up design of the Banner sometime in February, and hopefully begin the actual production soon thereafter.

IF YOU WISH TO JOIN IN THIS LABOR OF LOVE project, or wish to have any input at the design stage, please contact Nancy. Thanks a lot for your interest.

Petra Berger

As many of you know, C.M. Hall has been working in Iowa for the John Kerry campaign. Some UUCS members caught a glimpse of C.M. when Mr. Kerry's victory celebration in Iowa was on the Ted Koppel "Nightline" TV program. The Senator made a point of moving away from the podium after his remarks to give C.M. a hug.

Mark your calendar for the evening of Saturday, March 20th for the annual Partner Church Benefit Dinner.

Famous for its great food, great entertainment, and great company!!!

A Guide to programs and activities of the UUCS has been printed separate from the Directory this year. Copies are available at the church. Following are a few excerpts from the Guide.

Budget Committee: This group develops the annual operating budget for congregational approval in May and meets throughout the year to manage expenditures and propose budget revisions when needed. The treasurer is a member ex-officio and three other members serve staggered three-year terms.

Canvass Dinner: This is one of our biggest fellowship activities of the year. Good food and entertainment. It serves as the kickoff for our annual Every Member Canvass, when we ask all members and friends to make financial pledges for the coming year.

Circle Suppers: Circle suppers are so called because they "circle around" to different members' homes. They are potlucks that are held on four Saturday or Sunday evenings during the church year. This is a great opportunity for fellowship and for meeting new friends.

Covenant of Good Relations: This is an agreement collaboratively written by members that defines our various relationships in light of our Unitarian Universalist Principles and Purposes. Ratified at the May 2001 Annual Meeting, it calls for us to treat one another with compassion and respect. Look for copies on congregational bulletin board and in our directory.

Interfaith Hospitality Network: Our congregation, along with a number of other congregations in Salem, is a part of this network which feeds and shelters homeless families. Each member congregation hosts for a week about four times a year. Look for announcements of upcoming shelter volunteer opportunities in the newsletter or Sunday bulletin.

YRUU (Young Religious Unitarian Universalists): Our High School group meets weekly on Monday evenings for fun, discussion. Other activities are also planned. For further details contact our Director of Religious Education.

What’s the typical daily forecast for your internal emotional climate? Full of the light of love and joy or perpetually overcast by dark clouds of fear, anger and anxiety? Although we can’t control the weather outside, modern science is beginning to affirm an ancient Buddhist view that can indeed affect profound changes in our internal emotional climate.

Women’s Alliance, 7 p.m.

Friday, February 6 WUHUUS, 7 p.m.

Saturday, February 7 Black History Potluck, 5:30 p.m.

Life Lines Lay Ministry, 9:30 a.m. – noon

Celebrant/Anchor quarterly meeting, 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Sunday, February 8 Sunday Service, 10:30 a.m.

Path to Membership, after service

Monday, February 9 UU Meditation, 7 p.m.

YRUU Group, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, February 10 Evensong (Adult Religious Education), first of eight sessions, 7 – 9 p.m.

Wednesday, February 11 Lunch Bunch

Thursday, February 12 UUCS Board meeting, 7 – 9 p.m.

Saturday, February 14 Valentines Day Dance, 7 – 11 p.m.

Sunday Services Team meeting, 9 a.m. - noon

Wednesday, February 25 Project Vote Smart, 7 p.m.

Saturday, February 28 Pledge Dinner, 6 p.m