The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, Oregon

Celebration Sunday a Success

 

Hanneman Fellowship Hall was filled with the buzz of pleasant conversation and the smell of good food last Sunday noon.  The delightful luncheon of fajitas was catered by Brian and Allie Kato Dilks, UUCS members who volunteered their services.

The luncheon followed the Celebration Sunday service, during which the Rev. Cecelia Kingman Miller spoke about the spiritual benefits of generosity and we had time to consider what we wanted to pledge to UUCS in order to sustain the vision and ideals of Unitarian Universalism in our community.  Many people turned in pledge estimates, and Treasurer Marian Robison’s initial numbers indicate a highly successful day.  After the relatively few who weren’t there Sunday are contacted by mail and send their responses, Marian can calculate a total and the 2005-2006 budgeting process will begin.

 

Reverential Ramblings

 

At the recent Annual General Meeting of the Pacific Northwest District of the Unitarian Universalist Association (the AGM of the PNWD of the UUA) over four hundred of us, including a fair number from Salem, got to hear well known writer and UU minister Robert Fulghum deliver the keynote address. Fulghum is folksy, witty and wise, and his talk to us was delightful and memorable.

One of his great gifts is seeing the profound in the ordinary. He lives near an elementary school and sometimes sits drinking coffee on his patio behind a fence.  From this vantage point he can eavesdrop when mothers drop their children off for school and pick them up. In these stressful, hectic times he has often overheard mothers ask their children some rhetorical questions during moments of irritation and exasperation. He calls them “The Four Mother Questions.”

Imagine a mother asking these questions after a child has, say, scrawled on the back seat covers with magic markers, or forgotten to bring his or her schoolbooks or an important assignment. At times like this mothers have indeed been known to ask their children these pointed questions:

“Who do you think you are?”

“What in the world are you doing?”

“What will you think of next?” 

“What in the name of God are you doing?”

Now I never would have thought of this myself, but Fulghum pointed out what searching questions these really are. Questions posed by our very existence which can awaken us from indolence and unreflective lives. These questions are asked of us as individuals and as a religious community. I pose them here as questions to our congregation.  

Who do we think we are? (What is our religious heritage, our role and identity in our community now?)

What in the world are we doing?  (What programs, ministries, and activities are we engaged in?)

What will we think of next? (What new endeavors do we feel called by the voice of conscience, the need of the world around us, our creative imaginations to do?)

What in the name of God are we doing?  (What, in that name of all that is good and holy, are we doing to bring more love, peace and justice into our world?)

In the next year there will be opportunities for us to come together, meet, discuss, debate, and ponder upon these probing queries. We are coming to a good point in our congregational pilgrimage to stop, to ask these questions, to dream, to imagine, to envision what might come next. This will insure that we don’t squander the precious opportunities that lie before us during the precious days of our lives.

 

Love, Rick

 

Kudos Korner

In this issue, I want to highlight the Women’s Alliance and its members. For many decades they have taken on numerous projects for the church, such as painting, cleaning, gardening for the building and grounds, and baking cookies for special events. 

Let me begin to list some of the members.  The Women’s Alliance has been chaired the past two years by Jane Manning and includes Jo Bateman, Margaret Boyle, Tracy Boyle, Catherine Carlson, Sharon Dearman, Rhea Devery, Jane Fields, Barbara Fisk, Marge French, and Mary Edith Gilbertson

One of the longest running projects has been making Christmas ornaments for the children in RE.  The Alliance has earned money through a variety of activities - rummage sales, their main event of the Christmas Bazaar, and providing workers and helpers for events held in the church.  They are well known for the gracious receptions that have hosted for memorial services of members and friends.

Other members include Barbara Hanneman, Sally Hockin, Ellen Howard, Kristen Hunt, Mary Ann Kaestner, Ruth Larson, Delores Lusk, Sandra Meredith, Molly O’Dea, and Cathy Olcott.

Their contributions to the church are manifold.  These include such items as the plastic chairs in the old building, several of the longer tables still in use, various items for the RE program, the round tables and the chairs in the new fellowship hall, and plates, silverware, and glassware in the kitchen.

To finish up the list would include Pat Posner, Cheryl Randall, Elsa Struble, Pam Williams, Kay Young, and until recently, Jo Bucklin.

The UUCS stands eternally grateful for all of the hard work, support, involvement, and dedication of the Women’s Alliance to the continued health of our church.

Chair Chuck Howard

 

Annual Women’s Retreat

Join other women in our UUCS Community on March 18-20, Friday evening through Sunday morning at the Cedars Retreat Center southeast of Oregon City.  The Cedars is nestled in 80 acres of old growth cedar forest, meadows, wetlands and riverbank along the Clackamas River.  The lodge is lovely, with guest rooms, meeting room, and dining all under the same roof.  It is handicapped accessible and barrier free. The cost is $95 for two nights shared lodging and all meals and linen provided.  Vegetarians and special dietary needs can be accommodated.  Only 30 women, 18 years and older can sign up for the retreat.                                              Claire Diehl, DRE

 

Creating the UU Church of the Future

This one day seminar is open to all UUCS members. Join the Board and others from our congregation to learn from Michael Durell, author of The Almost Church, at the Hillsboro UU Community Church on Saturday, March 12, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $15 a person. See a Board member or Rev. Rick Davis for information or to sign up.

 

Stand for Children

The next UUCS STAND for Children meeting will be Sunday, March 13, from noon to 1 p.m. in one of the Religious Education rooms. We will be discussing our school nutrition, school board election and school funding issues.

Under school funding the topics include meetings with legislators, the Lottery Commission public forum, and our recent rally. We will also be working to stop the closure of the Early Childhood Education program at Chemeketa Community College.  Please join us. 

We especially want to welcome our newest UUCS STAND for Children members who joined two weeks ago. For information, contact Lynn Cardiff, or Petra Berger.

 

UUCS Humanists

The UU Humanists will be meeting in the church library on March 13 immediately after Sunday Services. Subway sandwiches will be available at cost. Questions? Call Nancy Jackson.

Chat ‘N Craft Group

The next meeting of the Chat ‘n Craft Group will be on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17 at 7 p.m.  Bring your project and be productive while enjoying scintillating conversation from somewhat like-minded crafters.  We will need to chose a new time or place for the first meeting of the month.

 

UUCS Game Night

Game night is being brought back by popular demand on Saturday, March 19, at 6 p.m. in Hanneman Fellowship Hall.  Bring snacks to share and your favorite game(s) and plan to have a good time.

 

Interfaith Hospitality Network

Our SIHN homeless families will be with us at UUCS March 20 to the 27. To volunteer to cook a meal, come to visit with the guests, or stay overnight, please sign up at the church or call Rosa Barton or Loraine Stuart.

Loraine Stuart

 

Special Tribute

If you would like to make a donation in honor or in memory of someone, or to celebrate a special occasion such as a birthday, wedding or anniversary, SPECIAL TRIBUTE CARDS are available. 

Tribute cards with envelopes are on the Information Table in Hanneman Fellowship Hall, or in the office.  Completed cards may be placed in the Sunday collection, or mailed to the church.

 

Proposed Welcoming Statement

A group of UUCS members has worked to update the Welcoming Statement to make it more inclusive.  This statement was published in a newsletter last fall for comments, but there were few suggestions.

The statement will be presented to the congregation at the UUCS Annual Meeting on May 18.  As we did with the Covenant of Good Relations, there will be minimal discussion directed only toward substantive changes.  The vote will be to accept or reject the statement for one year.  During that year, there can be further input and editing.  In 2006, the congregation will again vote whether to accept the modified statement.

 “We welcome you!  You are invited to explore our principles and purposes while we honor your freedom of conscience.  Our congregation celebrates the presence and participation of all, regardless of spiritual beliefs, age, gender, abilities, ethnicity, race, or sexual orientation.”

Petra Berger                    Lee Coyne                  Deborah Johnson                      Jon Diehl

Mary Ann Kaestner          Ken Erickson                          Lisa Jorgenson                            Angela Herrera

 

If you have any comments, please direct them to anyone on the committee.

Chuck Howard, Board Chair

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New UUCS Members

On Recognition Sunday, February 13, the UUCS congregation welcomed four new members. Here are biographical sketches for two of them:

Kathleen Herrin, Kathleen is truly one of our own, having entered our church school at age 4.  Now a high school senior, she plans to enter Evergreen State College at Olympia, WA.  Her ultimate goal is to join the Peace Corps and to serve in a Spanish speaking country.  Her interests are in social action and community development. She says growing up in this church has put her into a supportive environment as she has searched for a pathway to enlightenment and fulfillment.

Kelly Noor, In 1997, fresh from law school in Utah, Kelly relocated to Salem where her husband, Salam, had accepted a position with Oregon’s Department of Education.  She attended a UU church in Salt Lake City so she immediately looked up UUCS, confident she would find acceptance of Salam’s Muslim heritage and her own eclectic beliefs.  A volunteer in RE, she is also a part time legal aid attorney, and in her words, a “full time soccer mom.” The Noors have three sons, Shareef, Osama, and Nabeel, and one daughter, Amani.

Bios will follow later for Diane Pratt and Dennis Marker

 

Appreciation

Two things I have read recently:

1. That people who forgive, get more benefit than those who are forgiven.

2. That volunteers need more praise (or a thank you) because they do not get a paycheck.

So, I would like to express my appreciation to our Board: Chuck Howard, David Boaz, Lois Nodland, Marian Robison, Jon Diehl, Angela Herrera and Lori Jenkins, and recently retired Wilson Wyant.

Even though I have not always agreed with some of their decisions, I want to thank them for the many hours they have given to our UU community. They are volunteers.

On May 15^th, we will elect a new Board. I’m wondering who will step forward to fill the vacancies.                       Jo Bateman

 

Rev. Elizabeth Greene New UUA Trustee

At the PNWD Annual General Meeting in Portland February 18-20, Rev. Elizabeth Greene was elected as the new trustee to the UUA Board of Directors.  Elizabeth was active in the district for many years before attending theological school.  She has been minister at the Boise UU Church for 16 years.

There were two candidates this year to replace UUA Trustee Judi McGavin, who has admirably served the district for the past 8 years.  In addition to Elizabeth, Dick Jacke also sought the position.  Both candidates visited the UUCS earlier this year and expressed their views on a variety of UU topics.  We are fortunate to have had two such highly qualified candidates seek the UUA trustee position.

Rev. Rick Davis serves on the PNWD Nominating Committee and helped oversee the election.  The UUCS does not vote on the UUA Board candidates.  Delegates are instructed to read all available material and to then vote their conscience. 

The UUCS extends its congratulations and best wishes to Elizabeth as she begins her service on the UUA Board of Directors.                                 Chuck Howard

 

Looking for a House Sitter?

Or are you interested in a “house trade” in South Korea?  UUCS members John Thomas Maluski, Pam Ruona and son Dominic, are returning to Salem temporarily and are looking for a place to live for four to six weeks. 

Tom has been teaching in South Korea and his school will be on summer break during July and August.  Pam says, “If you need a house sitter or know someone who will have a place for rent or someone who is interested in a “trade”, email me or John Thomas.          Lois Nodland

News of the UUCS Community

Hats off to UUCS’ indomitable member Char Andrews for her strong defense of Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act, (see p.1, S-J February 23) again under fire! There could be no more legitimate claimant to the Act’s protections than Char, a victim of multiple cancers spreading through her body. We can be justifiably proud that she is one of us!

Chloe Nord, daughter of Ann Kresge and Mike Nord, a theater veteran at an early age, returns to the Portland stage (the Keller) in performances of Kurt Weill’s English opera, Street Scene, March 26, 31, and April 2. Ann notes that Chloe has re-learned the sacrifices necessary for the theater, commuting to Portland nightly for weeks.

While Ann and Chloe do the I-5 nightly rehearsal runs, Ann continues her art, decorating five sculptural salmon to be permanently displayed in Salem’s “Salmon in the City” project.

Long time UUCS member Nina Cleveland returned home from a trip to the Southwest during which she attended a Sunday service at the UU Church of Tucson. There she met former UUCS member Faith Rideout who asked to be remembered to her friends here.

Amanda Nelson, advisor to our high school UU group and owner of A Fashion Forward Salon in Salem, located at 231 High Street and immediately west of the transit mall, plans to once again offer hair cuts and inimitable styling advice for only $15 for all UU members and friends the first Saturday in May. All receipts will be dedicated to funding UU Youth projects. If you have not yet met Amanda in her salon, you’re missing a unique treat!

It’s time to wish Sally and Jim Hockin adieu! They have closed their adult foster care business in West Salem, found good homes for their clients, and have moved to Sisters where they are contemplating construction of a new home.

Long time member Irene Jones is moving. We wish her happiness in her new home.

Harold Hutchinson is currently on a Panama Canal Cruise, accompanied by his two sons.

Margaret Boyle reports that she made a speedy recovery after her February 9 surgery. The oncologist gave her a very good prognosis. She has already resumed her usual UUCS activities.

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

Joan Erickson