The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, Oregon

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem

5090 Center St. NE

Salem, Oregon 97301

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

March 31, 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)

Reverential Ramblings

For the Rev. William Greenleaf Eliot, minister of The Church of the Messiah in St Louis MO (Unitarian) for his entire career (1834-1873) the year 1849 was particularly challenging. As a member of the school board Eliot became keenly aware of the substandard system of public education in this fledgling midwestern city. He successfully lobbied the state legislature to authorize placing a proposal for a city property tax to support public education on the ballot for voter approval.

Yet early in 1849, before this matter could come before the voters of St Louis, a cholera epidemic struck which killed more than ten per cent of the population (over 7,000). Many Unitarians died, and Eliot was consumed with deathbed visitation and funerals.

Then in May of that year, a fire broke out in the city that destroyed 400 buildings along fifteen blocks. Eliot recorded in his journal: This year everything sad is heaped upon us. The cholera epidemic and the conflagration seemed also to sound the death knell for the school tax measure. He wrote: I fear that all hope of a tax for the schools is lost by this fire.

In spite of all the misfortune they had experienced, the members of Eliot’s Unitarian congregation went door to door canvassing voters. This made the difference, and the measure passed. It marked the true beginning for viable public schools in St. Louis. Eliot was delighted that his pessimistic premonitions were wrong.

Why am I telling you this bit of our history? Because I hope that it serves to inspire and challenge you to follow the example of our religious forbears and go out and do whatever you can to sway the citizen of Salem, OR to vote in favor of the "Kids and Cops" ballot measure 24-117 on May 18.

Why? Because it will create a new opportunity for thousands of middle school youth (who are now unsupervised and especially vulnerable to the temptations of drugs and delinquent activities after school) to be in a safe, supervised and creative setting. Too many latch key youth in Salem are floundering during these after school hours, and many make wrong choices that wreak lasting havoc on their lives. The Kids and Cops program will almost certainly protect and transform young lives. Then, too, it will allow the city to hire extra police officers whose special mission will be to control the methamphetamine drug trade that is devastating our community.

Our own congregational chapter of Stand for Children (led by Christine Ertl) stands solidly behind this measure and has successfully lobbied me to join them.

What is especially noteworthy about the Kids and Cops program is that it resulted from a long process of consultation and deliberation among community and business leaders who often have opposing views on social and political issues. They have worked hard finding common ground to address a crisis in our community, and the Kids and Cops ballot measure is the result. To find out more and how you can help attend a presentation by our Congregational Chapter of Stand for Children immediately after the Sunday service on April 4. Love, Rick

The Women’s Alliance will meet Thursday evening April 1 (no fooling!) at 7:00 p.m. at the church. In continuing our quest to learn more about each other, Claire Diehl will present the program. This is an opportunity to become better acquainted with the members of this group. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

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

The Path to Membership is scheduled for April 4 in Rick's office immediately after the Sunday morning service. If you are interested in becoming a member of UUCS or desire more information about Unitarian Universalism and this congregation, this is the opportunity you have been waiting for.

At the next STAND meeting on April 4 Christine Ertl will speak on the ballot measure known as Kids and Cops which will be on the May ballot. The presentation will be from 12 noon to 1 p.m. in the sanctuary after church. The congregation is encouraged to attend to learn more about Kids and Cops and to learn about ways individuals can help ensure the passage of this measure which funds after school programs for middle school students and additional police officers to work on meth drug issues within our community. For more information contact me. Lynn Cardiff

Share your "Joy of Cooking" with the hungry. We need volunteers for the Soup Kitchen at Jason Lee Methodist church. If you can provide soup, help serve, or help with clean up contact Dennis Ehrp. Our next committed date to run the soup kitchen is April 18th. Dennis Ehrp

Café Eclectic, a reincarnation of the 60’s with a 21^st century motif, will be a modern day coffeehouse/cabaret at UUCS. The first program is April 23 at 7 p.m. and will spotlight Salem poets Virginia Correy-Cozart and B. Lee Coyne. After intermission vocalists Barbara Stebbin-Boaz will entertain with old-time pop favorites, and Jean Logan will provide traditional folk songs with a contemporary twist. Coffee, tea and munchies will be provided. A donation of $4 is requested.

On Sunday March 21 the offering for our Partner Unitarian Church in Simenfalva, Romania was slightly over $1,200 (and this at a lightly attended service during Spring break). Those who did not have the opportunity to contribute may do so by sending a check to the office designated for the Partner Church. Thanks. Rick

Members of the Budget Committee, Lynn Cardiff, Dan Dailey and Elsa Struble, recently reviewed the UUCS financial records with Treasurer Marian Robison and Board Liaison David Boaz as is required by our bylaws. Again this year we are pleased to report that the records are in excellent shape.

The current system continues to have several safeguards: the Church Windows software assures that the same amount is posted to the general ledger and to the appropriate line item, and then to the Treasurer¹s report. (The Treasurer prepares a spreadsheet to show the month-by-month activity on one page; the entries we checked were copied correctly.)

Only the Treasurer and the Office Administrator have access to the Church Windows financial records. The Office Administrator prepares the deposits and the checks, but checks are signed by the Treasurer or another designated Board member, not by the Office Administrator. Checks not for regular expenses (utilities, etc.) require vouchers signed by the appropriate person, usually a team or committee chair. (A complete report will be in the UUCS Annual Report.) Lynn Cardiff

An outpouring of concern and well wishes extended last week to Molly O’Dea who has recently been diagnosed with a malignant tumor at the juncture of her esophagus and stomach. Molly says that she experienced difficulty swallowing, as if the impediment was in her throat. After the diagnosis with a Salem gastroenterologist she was referred to a specialist in thoracic surgery at OHSU. She will meet with him this week and is hopeful that he will schedule an early date for the procedure.

Jane Fields is also in a waiting pattern. After doing all of the preparations for hospitalization and post-operative nursing care following her anticipated knee replacement, Jane’s orthopedic surgeon discovered a minor infection which precluded surgery. Jane is hopeful that a May surgical date will be available on the hospital’s calendar.

Welcome home to UUCS’ Ann Kresge and husband Mike Nord who have been presenting/performing their interart project at several venues in Mexico City. Titled Crossing Borders, the project is a collaboration of art and music involving art installation, video, and improvised music. Ann reports that it was well received, and a fabulous experience.

Chloe Nord remained in Salem while her parents were away, attending rehearsals for her part as Annie in the May production at Howard Street Charter School of ‘Annie.’

Tracy Boyle and Steve Ovens announced plans to relocate to Milford, PA, home country for Steve. After nineteen years on the staff at Willamette University, Steve is ready for retirement and a change of setting, allowing him frequent contact with his mother, brother and sister. Tracy, a Salem native, says he’s ready for a new adventure.

Congratulations: to Harriet Trill and Glen Kaye at the birth of their first grandchild, Michaela Grace, to their daughter Sarah and husband Cory McCormick, in Indiana! Harriet flew there on Tuesday to spend a week welcoming baby Michaela.

Laura Carver and Jay Allen welcomed their new daughter Elsie Jane Allen on March 16. Elise weighed 7 1/2 lb. Everyone is fine. Although Laura had a long labor, she was perky two hours later. Phil Carver and Marie and Rory Gravelle will visit the family in Ithaca NY March 24-27. Elsie is Laura and Jay’s first child and the first grandchild for Marie and Phil.

Congratulations to therapist Lee Coyne, who has been appointed by Mayor Taylor to Salem's Social Services Advisory Board for a term beginning in April and ending in October 2005. Coyne operates the Coping Clinic for life transition issues and has been a facilitator in adult RE programs.

Catching up: Some months ago UUCS members shared information about their career development programs. Linda Geissler enrolled in a graduate program in elementary counseling through Lewis and Clark College. She is now in the second half of her third semester and plans to study six ‘condensed’ classes this summer preparing for a macro-internship in an elementary school next fall. Currently she is interning at Walker Middle School, and loving it.

Angela Herrera is studying theology and philosophy toward a bachelor’s degree at Marylhurst College, and certification in mediation and conflict resolution. Concurrently, she is preparing applications for a graduate program at a divinity school, expecting to be on UUA ‘radar’ as a potential future minister.

Irv Jacob has completed preparations for certification in secondary education and teaching English as a Second Language. Such instruction is provided students on four separate levels, allowing students to progress from being totally without English skills to proficiency in the language. Currently Irv is teaching ESL levels two and three ‘blocks’ of writing, and speaking at Sprague High School. He hopes for a comparable position in the local district for the forthcoming academic year.

With one quarter of the Masters of Arts in Teaching program completed, Vicki Cunningham and Bruce Hunt welcomed spring break last week more than they have for about thirty years! They returned to Sprague High School this week teaching two classes each in the Science Department in the mornings and studying at Western Oregon University most afternoons, completing ten hours additional course work toward the degree program. They will attend full time at WOU this summer with full-time student teaching in fall. Both expect to complete the MAT requirements by year’s end.

UUCS members traveling: Tina Calos and Rocky Evans left last week on a cross-country car trip to the Southeast to visit family. Pam and Ernie Williams trained last week to Seattle to spend several days with Alma Howard and Herman Leder. They report that the couple has happily settled into their retirement complex, and are busy with social action volunteering.

Please keep News of the Community happening by e-mailing or phoning me with your news. Joan Erickson

Please let us know if you get only the outer sheet of your newsletter, and how often this has happened. Please remember that if you're "temporarily away," your newsletter (as bulk mail) is returned to the church, with a postage due charge. editors

Mel Gibson’s recent movie "The Passion of the Christ" has stirred up a great deal of controversy. Many have claimed that it stokes the always smoldering fires of anti-Semitism. On this Sunday before our Annual Seder Dinner (Passover Meal on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m.) I will share my thoughts about this.

Those of us who do not embrace a literal understanding of the bodily resurrection of Jesus after his crucifixion might be considered heretics by those who do, but that does not mean that Easter cannot hold deep meaning for us. Please join us on this Easter Sunday as we offer beautiful music and delightful fellowship. We will have a Child Dedication Ceremony during the service. If you are interested in having your child dedicated please contact Rick or Acting Director of Religious Education, Claire Diehl through the congregational office.

Saturday, April 3 Life Lines Lay Ministry, 9:30 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.

Life Lines Speaker Beth Quackenbush, 11:00 a.m. – noon

Circle Suppers (off-site)

Sunday, April 4 Sunday Service, 10:30 a.m.

Path to Membership, after service

UU Meditation, 7 p.m.

Stand for Children, noon – 1 p.m., Kids and Cops

Monday, April 5 Marvelous Monday and Team Council, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

YRUU Group, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, April 6 Evensong (Adult Religious Education), 7 p.m.– 9 p.m.

Wednesday, April 7 Ethical Decisions, 3:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.

Seder Dinner Potluck, 6 p.m.

Thursday, April 8 UUCS Board Meeting, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, April 13 Global Travel Series - Eyes on the Alps, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 14 Lunch Bunch, noon, Center St. Chang’s Mongolian Grill