The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, Oregon

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem

5090 Center St. NE

Salem, Oregon 97301

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

March 17, 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)

S-1 Civil marriage equality: What can Unitarian Universalists do to promote the understanding of civil marriage equality for same-sex couples?

Prior Social Witness Statements: Population and Development (1996 Gen); Human Rights Conventions (1965 Gen)

S-3 Stopping Mass Extinction: How can we slow the massive extinction of other species and ensure the continuation of life on earth?

Possible study questions include: How does the American lifestyle -what we eat, where we work, etc.- impact the survival of other species? and What steps can be taken to preserve natural habitat, including rainforest, coral reefs, and other regions rich in biodiversity?

Prior Social Witness Statements: Responsible Consumption as a Moral Imperative (SOC 2001) Unitarian Universalist Statement on Survival and Population Control (Gen 1970)

S-4 Threat of Global Warming: What can Unitarian Universalists do to promote individual and collective changes in the way we live and work in order to slow and ultimately reverse global warming?

Prior Social Witness Statements: Responsible Consumption is a Moral Imperative (SOC 2001) Protecting the Biosphere (1989 Gen)

from Marinna Bornholdt

Near the end of my theological training almost twenty years ago I served as a chaplain in the same hospital where I was born – Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta. It seemed symbolic that I was being figuratively born into my life’s calling at the same place I had been literally born into this world. Frankly, it was pretty tough going – birthing processes aren’t painless.

Much of the pain I experienced was vicarious – I met many people in places of fear, anguish and suffering. I still remember one young gay man from Phoenix City, Alabama, who was dying of AIDS. It was sad enough that he was dying, but what added an intolerable burden of grief and heartache on his family were their fundamentalist beliefs. The mother and sisters feared that, because their son and little brother was gay, he was being punished by God with this terrible affliction and was destined for eternal damnation.

Although I was still pretty wet behind the ears I knew how to fulfill my role as a religious authority – it was to say to the young man (and his family) through my words and actions: "I know who you are, I know what afflicts you, and I also know that you are OK. God loves and accepts you as you are. God does not condemn you, nor do I." I hope and believe that I was of some comfort to them. Our religious forbears, the Universalists, rejected the notion of a God who would condemn any soul to everlasting torment, and I was grateful to have this religious tradition of everlasting hope and all embracing love guiding me in my ministry.

We continue to be about the same high and holy business of affirming those whom others condemn and reject. I am so proud and grateful to be a member of a religious movement that was among the very first to recognize and affirm gays and lesbians. Thirty years ago we went where almost no other religious movement dared to go. Yet now many people of faith have moved from harsh condemnation to full acceptance. Our religious association’s pioneering affirmation and advocacy have made a difference. Someone has to stand up in the face of ignorance, injustice and oppression, and members of our religious movement have so often been those someones. We can be grateful to have such a religious tradition of courage and conviction guiding us in our common ministry and outreach to the world.

With the same sex unions now taking place here in Oregon and San Francisco we appear to be in the midst of a historic shift. It has happened so suddenly. It is as though an ancient, socially constructed dam of oppression has suddenly sprung a leak and pent up joy, hope and love are pouring through. There are some who may think that the dam can be plugged (e.g., with a constitutional amendment), but I don’t think so. Eventually, reason, compassion, justice will win out over fear, ignorance and oppression – that is, if we will be faithful to our true callings.

Love, Rick

At our annual Canvass Dinner, I was asked to make a few comments about our vision for the UUCS. I was delighted to do so because I firmly believe that everything that occurs in the church flows from our vision. This holds true for the activities we plan, the groups we form, the administrative structure, the minister’s religious leadership, our outreach to the community – or anything that reflects the UUCS.

The UUA General Assembly (GA) will be held in Long Beach, California June 24^th-28^th. Located in the convention center downtown near adjacent parks and the waterfront, the meeting will include a myriad of programs, worship services, business events, and exhibits. Something new this year will be the opportunity for attendees to participate in small covenant groups, much like what we have here at UUCS.

Registration forms for adults, children, and the youth caucus, as well as request forms for scholarship help, tour information; and hotel registration forms are available in the UUCS office. For information on the web, go to http://dev.uua.org/ga/. From there you can also link to the site for hotel information and registration.

UUCS will be allowed five delegates from our congregation in addition to Rick who, as minister, is automatically a delegate. If you plan to attend the GA and would like to be a delegate, please contact Jane Fields or Chuck Howard.

Our delegates had a fine time at the February meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Pacific Northwest District. They heard from the president of the UUA and representatives of theCanadian Unitarian Council; they also had a chance to see Canadian friends who no longer belong to our District.

Now, all eyes are turning south, since the GA (see above) will meet in Long Beach. If you’re interested in attending, note that there are tax benefits to being a delegate—and you might sleep on the Queen Mary!

We will soon install a new sound system in Hanneman Hall. The system vendor is willing to provide training in its operation. We need a bunch of people willing to be system operators in rotation, both for our events and for rental events. Please volunteer to George Struble to help serve your church in an important way!

Two More Painting Opportunities: Now that warmer weather is here, we can finish two painting jobs. Neither will take long.

1) The entry canopy needs some paint on the ceiling and on a few last siding boards. We will borrow the right ladder from our contractor for access. The ceiling needs two coats. Who can help?

2) We bought a used metal filing cabinet to use as a music cabinet. It needs paint to cover wear spots and to conform to Hanneman Hall colors. It has sat in the Strubles’ garage for several months. George has tried to use a spray can, but is unused to it and his inexperience shows. Who can rescue George and paint the cabinet?

We are pleased that 21 new members joined our congregation after our winter orientation series. If you missed out on those events or have since become interested in learning more about Unitarian Universalism, its religious traditions and our congregational life, come to Rick's office following the morning service on March 28. Rick will answer questions and present information  This is your opportunity to join with other who are interested in learning about our congregation.

Our spring schedule is:

• March 28 - Orientation
• April 4 - Path to Membership
• May 2 - New Member Recognition
• May 22 - Dinner Party for all of this year’s new members

Marge French, Membership Team

…on next year’s UUCS Board of Directors. Your Nominating Committee is assembling a slate of candidates, and we’re asking YOU to give the matter some thought. Are you interested in serving the church on its Board, or would you like to suggest the name of someone who might be?

Our bylaws require that the process of nomination be made open and known to the Congregation. And that’s the purpose of this article: you’re now informed! (To encourage planning ahead, the bylaws permit nominations from the floor only if a motion to do so is made and carried.)

This year we have the great good fortune to have current officers (chair, vice-chair, secretary and treasurer) who are ready and willing to return for another year of service. We know we have openings for several Directors (what used to be called Trustees and Members-at-large), which are one or two-year terms.

No experience necessary—and what a great opportunity for learning. Serving on the Board is interesting, important, and worthwhile.

Please contact one of us soon with your input: Rob Schiff, Randy Herrin, or Carol Barrineau.

Donations are being taken to buy a coniferious tree to be planted in the vacant area near the NW corner of the church near the kitchen door. The tree is to be dedicated as a memorial to Jeanne Gunning who was distressed about the necessary loss of trees when the Hanneman Fellowship was built.  Some donations have already been made but if you would like to contribute, please give your contribution to Pat Smith, chairperson of the Landscaping committee or mail to the church. Please be sure to note that this is for the Jeanne Gunning Memorial Tree.

Spring comes, and both poets’ and non-poets’ thoughts turn to…mowing the lawn, right? Well, have we got a deal for you! The lawn at church is now much smaller than in preceding years, thanks to the new fellowship hall. Please call if you are willing to help.

Tom Lancefield

We have been advised by HOAP (Homeless Outreach and Advocacy Project, Salem) that this agency would appreciate contributions of the following: coats, socks, hats, gloves, towels, miniature toiletries, Safeway gift certificates and McDonald's "bucks." Donations may be left in the foyer in or near the large basket, or see me. If any of you have sleeping bags, tents and/or tarps that you no longer are using, these are very much needed. Please see or contact me about delivery of such items.

Dick Boyle, Social Action Team

A reminder to everyone: the church office has an updated list of medical equipment available on loan to UUCS members and friends. The list includes walkers, canes, ankle, leg and back braces, arm slings, crutches, bathtub/shower chairs, toilet seat risers, two very nice space heaters and other useful items.  If you need such an item, please contact Rose Drake at the church office; she has the names and phone numbers of those people who have offered. Also, if you have items TO LIST, please advise the office.

After the upcoming Life Lines Lay Ministry meeting on Saturday, April 3, Beth Quackenbush, Clinical Psychologist, will speak on "Boundaries and Resources for Caregivers." (This program was originally scheduled for March 6.) Interested persons are invited to attend; the talk will begin at 11:00 a.m.

Margaret Boyle

Be sure to sign up by March 28 to reserve your place as host or guest. Sign the clipboard in Hanneman Hall or call Jean Logan. See the last newsletter for more about this easy and pleasant way to get to know other UUs.

Join us April 7th at 6 p.m. for our annual Seder dinner. This is a great opportunity to take a night off from your kitchen! Children are a part of this celebration, which stems from the Jewish practice and has been adapted to Unitarian Universalist practice. Regardless of your religious background, you’ll find the program enjoyable.

Two weeks ago we happily hosted three families, one with a brand-new baby, in the Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network. We had some enthusiastic new volunteers: Bonnie Schulte, Carolyn Neve, Annette Vasseur, and the Arabas family. Our regulars for dinners included Randy, Bev, and Kathleen Herrin, Ruth Larson, Becky Hickox, Jo Bateman, and Kay Young. Thanks to all who helped!

Loraine Stuart

Are your photos hidden in a drawer or box? Are they in albums with "magnetic" (sticky) pages that we now know will eventually destroy the pictures? Join us for a fun way to attractively display pictures in albums for all to enjoy and to preserve them for future generations. Contact me for further information.

The Landscape Committee Work Party is scheduled for Saturday, March 20 from 9-12 noon.  We will be planting trees, cleaning out beds and potting up plants for the plant sale.  Bring shovels or trowels if you want to work on the planting or potting.  We welcome newcomers to our efforts.  Come join us on the first day of Spring and help make our grounds sparkle. Pat Smith

Heather Beaman-Laine, the new organizer for the Salem-Keizer chapter will be at the next UUCS meeting to speak about the Kids and Cops program, which is expected to be on the ballot in May. Anyone who is interested in the after school program for middle schoolers is invited to attend.

Plan to enjoy performers Virginia Corrie Cozart, Barbara Stebbins-Boaz, and Jean Logan, with Jane Mitchell as MC. More information will be in a future issue.

To suggest future entertainers, please call Jane Mitchell or Lee Coyne.

Long-time UUCS member Lois Sisson Hutchinson died two weeks ago following a lengthy illness. She would have been 92 in May. Harold, Lois’ husband of fifty-five years, shared memorable events of her life:

She was born in Minnesota; when she was two her parents moved first to Colorado and then to Portland, settling on Johnson Creek Blvd. She graduated from Lincoln High School and received a degree in biology from Reed College. She trained as a medical technician at Good Samaritan Hospital. When her major professor went to war he transferred to Lois his position as lecturer in pathology to the U.O. Dental School students. It was there that Lois and Harold met. Following Harold’s graduation from the dental program they married and spent five months in European adventure travel prior to Harold’s establishing a dental practice in Salem.

Lois and Harold’s family includes daughter, Emily, of Salem, and sons Harold Jr. and Tom of Portland.

Lois was a medical technologist at the Marion County Health Department for many years. She was an avid bicyclist, riding to work daily. The Oregonian’s daily crossword puzzles, sewing and watching foreign films were regular routines. An active church member, Lois was the office administrator for many years, and also served on the board. Jane Fields notes that Lois was a ‘leading light’ of Women’s Alliance, as minutes of meetings of the organization’s earlier years reveal.

March 11 Board Meeting

Present: Chair Chuck Howard, David Boaz, Donna Loveland, Lois Nodland, Karen Piter, Marian Robison, Wilson Wyant, Rick Davis, Claire Diehl; and guests Mariana Bornholt and Pat Smith. Absent: Petra Berger, Lee Coyne, and Maggie Shank

Treasurer Marian Robison provided Revenue and Expense Reports for February 2004 (posted on bulletin board). She commended UUCS Teams for keeping expenses down to 62% of budget.

Parish Poll for the UUA General Assembly – Mariana Bornholt: Mariana encouraged the Board to participate in the UUA Parish Poll, which is seeking input on four study issues that have been proposed for the UUA GA in Long Beach CA, June 24th-28th.: Rick will work with Marianna on details of a poll to be taken at the Sunday service on March 28, and: Mariana will summarize the issues in the next newsletter [see pp 1 and 6].

Transition Committee: Pat Smith, Chair of the Committee, proposed a transition training session for Board members as recommended in Raising The Roof by Alice Mann. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on April 28.

UUCS Computer System: The Board accepted the interim decision of the Executive Committee to purchase a computer for Office Administrator Rose Drake for $842. George Piter will set up the computer and request estimates on a lap top computer for Rick.

Facilities Use Subcommittee: The board passed Chair Donna Loveland’s three part motion to:

1. Accept the committee’s two-hour fee recommendations, which may make it more feasible for some nonprofits to use our facility;
2. Pass on to the UUCS Women’s Alliance fees paid for the Event Liaison for wedding and memorial ceremonies. The Alliance provides many hours of work and sometimes donates food at such events.
3. Allow use of UUCS facilities for member/family memorials at no charge, keeping in mind that there will be associated utility, custodial and wear costs. A gratuity should be suggested for the minister, and for the Women’s Alliance if they assist at a reception.

Use of Facilities at Minimal Rates – Church Outreach: Donna will arrange a meeting of Chuck and Rick and other interested board members with the Facilities Use Committee.

At an earlier meeting, the Board approved use of the UUCS facility for the NAACP monthly board meeting. Donna reported that the Facilities Use Committee negotiated a rental contract for additional use of the UUCS to include a weekly teen meeting on Wednesday nights for a three-month period and a general meeting once a month.

Annual Meeting & Board Retreat: Chuck requested reports from UUCS teams, committee chairs, Rick, and Religious Education staff for the May 16^th annual meeting. The Board retreat will be June 4^th and 5^th.

Cleaning of Church: Karen Piter, Chair of the Personnel Committee, told the Board that a custodial team has been retained on a temporary trial basis to clean the church.

Religious Education Positions: Karen reported that the RE Team provided recommendations for the RE staffing model. Marian is comparing the current proposed UUCS budget with salary figures proposed by the Team. The Personnel Committee will meet to consider the proposal and report to the Board.

Minister’s Report: Rick encouraged the Board to talk to UUCS members to promote attendance at the General Assembly in Long Beach June 24^th – 28^th. The UUCS is allowed five delegates. Registration information is available in the church office.

Rick said that he has instructions for construction of a wayside pulpit and asked the Board for approval to place one on church property on Cordon Road. The Board voted to support Rick’s research and to approve his suggestion. Rick will work with the Landscape Team on the wayside pulpit.

Acting RE Director Report: Claire said that the RE program is growing along with the membership and that finding teachers is a challenge, as teachers have to be UUCS members for a year before they can teach RE.

UUCS’ most recently married couples were warmly celebrated during the March 6 service. The standing ovation began as Rick invited all ten to come to the front and be recognized. They included Eric Schuman and Lorn Folsom, Heather Burns and Colleen Henery, Mac McCall and Gary Klein, Tracy Boyle and Steve Ovens, all of whom were married in ceremonies in Portland, and Lydia Gutierrez and Alma Marianos, who were married several weeks prior in British Columbia.

Congratulations to Barbara and Wilson Wyant on the birth of their first grandchild, Collin Light Wyant, born in Seattle to Matthew and Bonnie Wyant. The happy event occurred just days prior to Wilson’s and Barbara’s 39^th wedding anniversary!

Congratulations to Barbara Stebbins Boaz on gaining tenure on the Willamette University faculty as well as being named chair of the Biology Department for the ensuing academic year. The honors were amplified by learning of funding of her grant proposal to examine the effects of the herbicide 2,4-D on the early development of frog oocytes. Barbara and David will celebrate these honors by attending a professional meeting of Barbara’s (with time out for play) in Friday Harbor, Washington, next weekend!

The family of Mary Sohlstrom’s late husband, Edward McQuinn Sohlstrom (Mac), have set June 19 at 11 a.m. for a memorial service at the church. Mary expects family from all reaches of the country to attend.

UUCS members John Roy Wilson and Janet Brown are leaving for the East to attend training with the Fellowship of Reconciliation as ‘ambassadors for peace.’ Following the training they will be in Jerusalem for two weeks, living with both Israeli and Palestinian host families.

Jane Fields will have knee-replacement surgery at Salem Hospital. When she is able to leave the hospital she anticipates rehabilitating in a nursing facility. The church office will know her whereabouts and the facility’s address.

We will soon welcome C.M. Hall back to Salem following highly successful work on the John Kerry presidential campaign in Iowa. She expects to resume her former job in Portland, and also continue with the campaign.

Former UUCS member Bob Thornhill has written of his life in Los Angeles and his professional work with the Los Angeles Public Library. He reports that his mother’s health is deteriorating, and that she is now in a nursing home. 

At candle lighting time last Sunday, Carol Barrineau announced that she and Steve are ending their marriage. We were happy to hear that she plans to remain in the community and be active in UUCS.

Bonnie Heitsch and Cristina Martinez, exchange student in the Heitsch-Reeder home, lit a candle marking the tragic attack in her home city, Madrid, Spain. Cristina, enrolled as a senior at South Salem High School, has learned her family is safe.

Please help maintain this news network by sending me items you’re willing to share with others in our community. Sharing joys and concerns of our lives is one of the most significant things we can do for one another.

Joan Erickso

Marcus Berlin, Kay and Phil Cogswell, David Conrad and Gail Bjorkman, Michelle Cordova (with children Phoenix and Terra), Esther Friedman (with Tyler), Stephen and Darlene Henderson (with William), Nancy Murphy, Martin and Michelle Prather (with Eric and Ryan), Elissa and Isaac Szymanczyk (with Lily and Nigel), Annette Vasseur and Ed Crawford, Don Wolf and Stephanie Jernstedt, and Allison and Brian were welcomed into membership on March 7.

Some of their biographies, prepared by Sandra Bovee of the Membership/Newcomers Team, are printed here. The rest will appear in future issues.

 Marcus Berlin lives in the "Four Corners" part of town and works as a civil engineer for the state. He loves all sorts of sports, including basketball, water sports and snow sports. Marcus has actually been a Unitarian "off and on" for 30 years. He is particularly interested in political action groups in the church, and participation in the 25^th Street clean-up activities.

 Kay and Phil Cogswell live in south Salem. They are both retired and love traveling and birding. Kay was a member here way back in 1964/65. She knows Barbara Hanneman, so when she heard about the dedication of Hanneman Hall she and Phil decided to attend the ceremony. This re-ignited the UU flame, and inspired Kay and Phil to become members. They are interested in helping with facilities maintenance (especially gardening), food share services, and newsletter editing (Don was a writer with the Oregonian).

 Nancy Murphy lives in the Highland area of Salem and works as a land use planner for the Department of Transportation. She has been a UU for a long time, having grown up in a Unitarian church in Texas. She has recently bought her first house, and is managing the refinements on the 75 year old structure. Nancy is also a talented quilt-maker, and is leading the work on the production of a quilted banner for the church.

The Reverend Richard R. Davis