Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, Oregon 6/1/05 Newsletter

Special Sundays

Next Sunday, June 5, as summer approaches and the school year ends, we’ll observe three annual traditions: our flower communion (bring a flower to place in the congregational bouquet; take home a different one afterwards), our bridging ceremony for young people, and our after-church potluck. Everyone is welcome at all three. If you can stay for lunch, please bring a dessert if your last name starts with A-G, a side dish if it starts with H-N, and a main dish if it starts with O-Z. Entertainment and beverages will be provided.

June 12 will be Rick Davis’s last Sunday in the pulpit until fall, and he will observe another tradition: Question and Answer Sunday. See the back page for his description of “Spontaneous Theology.” Following the service, there will be a short congregational meeting to discuss and approve a budget for the fiscal year which begins July 1. See page 4.

June 19 (Father’s Day), at the first summer service, the Rev. Craig Moro’s topic is “Build a Better Treehouse.” What do we need to consider when building a house on a foundation that lives, and grows, and moves?

Reverential Ramblings

I must confess that I have never been as fond of a chicken as I am of our resident bantam here at UUCS. We first saw her about two months ago foraging around out back on the edge of Bateman Woods. Whenever someone approached she would scramble away and hide in tall weeds. Sometimes I wouldn’t see her for days, but then she’d reappear. A couple of weeks ago we found some eggs out by the east side of the building. Then she began hanging out in front of the building, being much more visible. The chicken had moved in.

Clearly, this chicken needed a name. So on Sunday, May 22, the children in RE wrote down their suggestions and during the social hour a name was drawn. Hence, our chicken’s name is “Dragon.” Get used to it because Dragon has made this place her home. (Note: I am told by knowledgeable authorities that “Dragan” means “dear” in Macedonian. Think of this meaning if you like.)

During our plant sale here a few weeks ago a neighbor noticed Dragon and said that she had wandered over from her farm. Since a fox has been wiping out most of the chickens at her place she said that Dragon could find safer refuge here. (There are foxes around here – I’ve seen one).

So we are providing refuge for Dragon. Yet chickens do make a mess, and I would caution us not to invite all fowls fleeing foxes to come here. As it is, we will need to use a pressure washer to clean the entrance way and sidewalk. Our hardworking custodian, who is equally fond of our fowl, has expressed a willingness to clean up behind her.

In a phone conversation the other day I was telling a member about our resident fowl, even as I was gazing fondly at her pecking around outside my office window. The member asked if anyone was feeding the chicken, and at that precise moment I saw Dragon poke her beak into the ground and pull up a big juicy worm. This free range chicken knows how to partake of the bounty of nature on our fecund and fertile plot of land.

Truth be told, there are some here, who shall go unnamed, who have felt compelled to toss Dragon some crackers or crushed corn chips. Now, rather than fleeing into the weeds, she dashes toward her feeders and practically eats out of their hands. It’s quite endearing.

Now I realize how much I have greatly underestimated chickens. They are pretty smart birds. In fact, I’ve been told that they are the new “in” pet for city dwellers since they are so intelligent and trainable. Certainly Dragon, who had the wits to flee from a fundamentalist fox to find refuge in our liberal enclave, is no dumb chicken.

This gives me pause to think about human arrogance toward life on this planet. We have tended to operate as though this world exists purely to meet our needs, that the birds and all the other animals and living things are here, not to enjoy their own lives, but for us to use and exploit. Certainly, life must take life to sustain life. Foxes have to eat, too. But we should strive to hold the harm we do to a minimum. We are called to extend our compassionate awareness toward all of life, to appreciate and respect other beings for who they are. As the seventh principle of Unitarian Universalism reminds us: “We covenant to affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” May we do so.

Love, Rick

Kudos Korner

It was a time to gladden the hearts and minds of all the UUCS members. People who had joined UUCS over the last year gathered at Chuck and Ellen Howard’s house for the annual New Members Dinner on May 21. People enjoyed meeting each other and had fun learning about their new fellow members.

Invitations to all the members who had joined in the last year were designed and sent out by Gail Bjorkman. The Membership Team, chaired by Kay Cogswell, who directed the planning, cased the Howards’ house a couple of days before the dinner. Kay was accompanied by Lois Donovan and Anne Alexander, who was in charge of arrangements. The number of places needed for the new members and for the Team were calculated, and rooms assessed for seating capacity. On Saturday morning, Phil Cogswell and Steven Henderson, also on the Team, arrived with chairs, tables, and settings from the UUCS kitchen.

On Saturday evening, the food began to arrive. Don Wolf had proposed a menu and helped prepare some of the dishes. Other cooks preparing the great food were Lois Donavan, Kay Cogswell, Anne Alexander, Allison Kato-Dilks, and Stephanie Jernstedt. Nina Cleveland staffed the welcoming table and sent people downstairs for some introductory fun. Katie Howe had planned an ice breaker, which was carried out by Allison Kato-Dilks. Kay, Rick Davis, and Chuck spoke brief welcomes and everyone then adjourned to dinner.

New members attending the dinner included Berta Aronson, Barbara Bigham, Ri Britton, Nancy Files, Ray Files, Dan Heinzelmann, Matthew Isom, Ardith Oakes, Bette Rice, and Paul Rice. The conversation and sharing that went on at dinner continued over dessert and into the evening. Everyone enjoyed making connections, sharing their lives, and chatting with one another. On Sunday morning, all the new members present at the dinner were also at church. What a great group to welcome into the UUCS. Chuck Howard

Resignation

I had an epiphany during Rick's sermon on Sunday, May 15th — the very last part, in which he talked about service to self. I am taking life at a rather breathless pace right now, and a recent health concern has encouraged some reflection about that. While my timing is abysmal, I want to inform the congregation that I have decided to decline the opportunity to serve as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors. In accepting the nomination, I misjudged the time and energy involved in the position, and I believe that it is worthy of more complete attention than I am currently able to offer. The Nominating Committee is working with the current Board to recruit a replacement, and I trust that a willing and committed individual can be encouraged to take on this important responsibility. I am deeply grateful that the response to this change has been entirely compassionate, and yet that is a reflection of the standard of caring that this congregation embraces. Please accept my deepest regrets for the inconvenience of this belated revelation.

Respectfully yours, Kelli McKnight

Plan Ahead

— for the Men’s Retreat October 28, 29, 30 at Silver Creek Falls. We have 24 places reserved.

— for newsletter coverage. Summer deadlines are June 12 July 10 August 7.

Interfaith Hospitality Network

SIHN families will be here again from June 12 to June 19. To volunteer to help with hosting (or to find out how several churches and a day center cooperate to help homeless families), call Loraine at or sign up at church. We’ll need lots of you!

Loraine Stuar

After the Life Lines Lay Ministry meeting on Saturday, June 4, UUCS member Chris Mayou will speak about “How mental illness has affected my family.” Interested persons are invited to attend; the talk will begin at 11 a.m.

Stand for Children Lunch

To avoid conflict with the Life Lines meeting and presentation June 4, SFC will host a noon lunch at church rather than a breakfast. This is an informal get-together to discuss plans for fall. For more information, call Petra Berger.

PNWD News

The 2006 meeting of the UU Pacific Northwest District will be held in the “quaint Victorian seaside town of Port Townsend” February 17-19. The Workshop Committee sent us a list of possible workshops—see the lavender sheet on the hall bulletin board. Topics range from using technology creatively to living simply, age diversity, economic justice, and the Seventh Principle Project. They would like UU volunteers to submit specific proposals for the listed or other topics, preferably by June 15.

Also posted in the hall is News from around the District—check out what other congregations in the Northwest are doing.

Come Join Confluence

We in the Willamette Valley Mixed GALA Chorus will end our fourth season with an exciting concert dedicated to celebrating our diverse lives. Appropriately titled Diversity, the concert features songs chosen by chorus members to reflect their personal life journeys, as well as a ten-song work by Seattle composer David Maddux, “Boys & Girls with Stories.” Maddux is often referred to as “the gay Gilbert & Sullivan,” and his work is noted for its witty lyrics and catchy melodies. Come join Confluence for this tribute to diversity —

• SALEM: Saturday, June 4, 7:30 p.m., Chemeketa Community College, Building 6. (Turn right after entering at 4000 Lancaster Drive; turn left at the fire station: venue changed because of water damage at the Congregational Church.)

• CORVALLIS: Sunday, June 5, 4:00 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2945 NW Circle Blvd.

Tickets, $10-15, are available from chorus members or at the door. No one turned away for lack of funds. Both venues are wheelchair accessible.

Alma Marianos

Canvass Update

Figures are incomplete because of difficulties with Treasurer Marian Robison’s new computer, but the good news is that about $13,000 has been pledged since the May 15 Annual Meeting, bringing the total to over $195,000. The Congregation should feel proud of its achievement in increasing pledges from last year’s $169,000!

Expenses will increase next year. For instance, we will have to pay $75 rather than $70 per member in “dues” to the district and national UU organizations – and we are blest with having more members than last year! We have formed two new teams, which need modest budgets. Also, we optimistically budgeted for $9,000 in building rental and wedding income in 2004-05; $6,000 appears to be a more realistic figure.

There are still a few members who haven’t been heard from. If members and friends make new – or increased – pledges before the June 12 meeting to vote on the 2005-05 budget, we might be able to give our hard working staff something like a cost of living increase!

Compiled by Elsa Struble

Directories Reprinted

New copies of the church directory are available on the credenza in the fellowship hall for those who didn’t get one earlier. If you have the November directory, please take just an update sheet from the credenza/

Welcome, New Members!

Berta Aronson, a long-time Salem resident, is a psychiatric social worker. She grew up in Judaism and has been involved in a variety of Eastern practices and new thought churches. She came to our church because she was feeling spiritually “untethered” and needed an inclusive community that would give her room to grow. She has already joined the alto section of the choir.

Ray Files and Nancy Weber-Files married in 1997 and decided to look for a church community which shared their ideals and values. Nancy grew up in Canby, graduated from Linfield College, and enjoyed thirty years of classroom teaching. She raised two sons and led a very busy life in Monmouth. Her numerous hobbies include gardening and flower arranging, cooking, sewing, knitting, and letter writing. Ray is a semi-retired former welder and crane operator who describes himself as a blue collar Democrat. He enjoys gardening and sharing music on the computer.

Dana Heinzelman and Matthew Isom came to Salem last August from Salt Lake City. Both are Brigham Young graduates, Matthew in humanities and Dana in law, which she practiced for six years. Matthew now teaches English at South Salem High School: he convinced Dana that Salem would be the best place on earth to raise children. They have three: Nadia, 5, Emily, 2, and James, 10 months. Matthew’s father taught at the Willamette Law School and his mother taught at North Salem High. The family enjoys hiking, gardening, cooking and traveling, both foreign and local. Dana confesses to love baking chocolate desserts.

Welcome also to Valerie Neevel and Paul and Bette Rice. More about them later!

Louise Hyatt

Louise Hyatt, a longtime UU and a member of this congregation from 1953 to 1958, died May 17 at age 93. Maureen Killoran, her daughter-in-law and our minister from 1986 to 1991, will conduct the memorial service at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, at the Rogue Valley UU Fellowship in Ashland. Louise, well known as a special education teacher, was active in the Corvallis congregation for many years and later moved to Ashland to be near her youngest son, Judson. She had requested that any donations be made to the Rogue Valley Symphony or Jefferson Public Radio; they could be addressed to 1250 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland.

Many here know Kim and Paula Hyatt of Salem (and of the Chemeketans). Peter Hyatt and Maureen Killoran now live in Hendersonville, NC, and Maureen has just published Spirit Tickling: An E-Workbook for Curious Souls. Her website is www.spiritquest.coaching.com.

News of the UUCS Community

In one of the few contested elections held two weeks ago, UUCS member Jolene Garland won handily, and will become a member of the Board of Directors of the Willamette Education Service District. Congratulations, Jolene!

Congratulations to Danielle Cote-Schiff on her recent graduation from the University of Puget Sound Honors Program! She majored in math and physics with a minor in philosophy. Father Rob Schiff tells us that it’s her plan to take a year off from studies to work, and then attend a graduate program in astronomy.

Condolences to Cherie Ulmer and her family at the death two weeks ago of her brother, Tom, of lung cancer. A memorial service for him was held last Sunday in Salem.

The Salem Community Chorus performed recently at the Salem Library; UUCS’ John Roy Wilson was one of the soloists. Also represented in area choral circles were Barbara Stebbins Boaz and David Boaz, who sang with the Willamette Master Chorus at the Abbey Church, Mt. Angel. Next weekend, Salem’s Confluence Chorus will give two concerts, Saturday evening, 7:30 in the Chemeketa Auditorium (see page 4) and Sunday at the Corvallis UU Fellowship. Alma Marianos is the chorus’ accompanist and former members Carol Barnard and Ed Lazzara sing in the chorus.

Sometime this summer Jo Bateman plans to move to Capitol Manor in West Salem.

Delores Lusk recently attended grandson Shane McAllister’s graduation from OHSU, when he received a Ph.D. in microbiology. His education, however, is far from over! He’ll continue studying toward his M.D. for two additional years, which will be followed by an internship. Delores wrote, “He will be 30 years old next month and has been in school since he was four!”

Lois Nodland’s rehabilitation from back surgery has gone remarkably well. She can walk short distances without a walker and has cut down on pain killers. She’s kept up with Sunday services by listening to a CD of each service. This week she is enjoying a visit with her son, daughter-in-law, and four year old grandson, who live in Bismarck, North Dakota.

If you or someone you know would like to listen to Sunday church services on CD, contact Phil Cogswell or John Prodhodsky of the Communications Team.

Molly and Bill O’Dea returned home recently from the east coast, visiting son Alex, who has now returned to his engineering studies at UNC in Chapel Hill, following a safe return from military service in Iraq. They divided their time between Washington, D.C. and New York City.

Barbara Wyant wrote two weeks ago of their settling in in Bothell, Washington, where she and Wilson are providing day care of their year old grandson, Collin. She reports “Collinizing” their house to make it safe for a running toddler! Collin’s mother, an atmospheric scientist at U.W., has left on a long-scheduled science research project in Barrow, Alaska.

Finding a cure for Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease, was the purpose of the recent fund-raising banquet and auction attended by the family and many friends of Laurie Speight, Barbara Hanneman’s daughter, who copes daily with the extremely debilitating effects of this dread, fatal disease. The event was an awesome success, raising over $100,000 for research. Laurie’s twin sister, Linda Batty, made a quilt for the auction. In lively bidding, the quilt was auctioned to Peter Batty, Linda’s husband, who then presented it to Laurie!

Loraine Stuart and George Struble will participate in long hours of music making at two chamber music workshops this summer. They’ll be in Bozeman, Montana, the third week of June (Elsa goes along for the ride) and in Ashland, Oregon, the third week of July. Both have participated in other workshops of this kind in past summers.

On June 26 violinist Mark Babson, son-in-law of Lydia Gutierrez, will provide music for the service, as he did at this time last year while Loraine was away.

Congratulations to UUCS member Diana Bodtker, who has been re-elected President of the League of Women Voters of Marion and Polk Counties. She also serves as board president of the local YWCA. All this in addition to, with her husband Egon, being on a Greeters team at church!

Stan Tepper was hospitalized for two days last week following a car accident. He’s home now, grateful that not more damage was done, and his injured shoulder is improving. His almost new “hybrid” car didn’t fare as well.

UUCS member Cheryl Randall will retire this month, after 27 years in education, the last twelve of them with the Salem-Keizer District, and the last nine of those as a school psychologist. She plans to open a private practice, limited to serving children with Attention Deficit Disorder, high-functioning Autism, or Asperger’s Syndrome.

Esther Friedman’s 93 year old grandfather, Merton Buffham, is in his third week at Benedictine Nursing Center, Mt. Angel, for treatment of respiratory problems. He normally lives at Redwood Heights Assisted Living Center.

Marion and Sharon Dearman returned last week from two weeks’ vacation spent in Victoria (including a return visit for Sharon to the famous Butchart Gardens, fifty years later) and Whistler, British Columbia, as well as time to shop in the Bavarian-themed village of Leavenworth, Washington.

Lee and Carmela Coyne are very appreciative of the six UUCS men who helped them move their belongings into their new home in Salemtowne. This goes to show that if you need some help and are willing to ask for it, most likely it will materialize!

Our community is committed to providing care and support to one another. This is why the weekly sharing of “joys and concerns” is such an important component of our church service. If you have news to share with others and want to use this newsletter format, please contact me.

Joan Erickson

SUNDAY SERVICE AND CHURCH SCHOOL

10:30 a.m. (Child care available)

June 5 Our Annual Flower Communion Sunday The Reverend Richard R. Davis

Please bring a flower, suitably trimmed, to be placed in the congregational bouquet. This is a special service: Jane Fields will tell us about the history of the flower communion. And we’ll have our Bridging Ceremony for five of our graduating youth – Chaz Bogner, Diana Cunningham, Camille Hampton, Kathleen Herrin and Annie Reeder. Special Music will be provided by young people: Christianna Hannegan, harp, and Eric Valentine and Zachary Gulaboff-Davis, piano. Rev. Davis will deliver a homily related to our Unitarian Partner Church in Simenfalva, Romania, and we will receive a special offering to them.

June 12 “Spontaneous Theology” (Question and Answer Sunday) The Reverend Richard R. Davis

Normally the minister enters the pulpit with a prepared text, but on “Question and Answer Sunday” he responds to your questions. Write your questions on the form inserted in the order of service; they may pertain to religion, spirituality, Unitarian Universalism, politics, religion, ministry, this congregation, etc. Or you may choose to write a thought or affirmation which he will share.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

UUCS Calendar of Other Events

Thursday, June 2 Chat ‘n’ Craft, 7 p.m.

Saturday, June 4 Lifelines Lay Ministry, 9:30 a.m. Chris Mayou speaks, 11 a.m.

SFC lunch, noon

Sunday, June 5 Adult RE Book Discussion, 9:15 a.m. (last session June 12)

All-Church Potluck, after the service

UU Meditation, 7 p.m. (also Monday, June 13)

Monday, June 6 YRUU Youth Group, 7 p.m. (every Monday)

Marvelous Monday, 6 p.m. (supper, council at 6; teams meet at 7)

Tuesday, June 7 “Voluntary Simplicity,” 7 p.m.

Wednesday, June 8 Lunch Bunch, Golden Tent Mongolian

Thursday, June 9 Board Meeting, 7 p.m.

Friday, June 10 UUCS Meaningful Movie, Pieces of April, 7 p.m.

Sunday, June 12 Congregational Budget Meeting, after the service

Newsletter deadline 11:30 a.m. (next deadline July 10!)

Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network guests arrive for week

Wednesday, June 15 Chat ‘n’ Craft, 7 p.m.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, Oregon

June 19 (Father’s Day), at the first summer service, the Rev. Craig Moro’s topic is “Build a Better Treehouse.” What do we need to consider when building a house on a foundation that lives, and grows, and moves?

June 5 Our Annual Flower Communion Sunday The Reverend Richard R. Davis