The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, Oregon

How Clear is Our Vision?

Join Janine Larson, our PNWD District Executive, and the entire congregation for a workshop on Saturday, October 15^th, from 9:00 - 12:00 as we dream together the future of our congregation. We have not done this before--tried to be intentional as an entire community about the good we hope to do in the world. This workshop is a rare opportunity for us to come together, to share our hopes and dreams for how we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of congregation members as well as in the wider community.

Gourmet Coffee, a piano bar, small group discussion, large group visioning, activities for children – what more could you ask for on a Saturday morning?

Whatever else you have planned that Saturday – hiking, cleaning your gutters, taking your children to soccer, dance, or music lessons – cancel those plans just this once because we need your unique and irreplaceable voice to speak your truth.

This workshop will be the culmination of the Transition Team’s work as we’ve learned about the "Pastoral Church to Program Church" transition over the last couple of years.  From this workshop on October 15th will come long-term strategic plans that will affect all aspects of our congregational life.  Please, be a part of this one-time event and help us build an even more meaningful and intentional church community for years to come.

 

Reverential Ramblings

It sure seems like there hasn’t been much good news lately.  Hurricane Katrina, brutally exposing the extent of our neglect of the disadvantaged in our country, followed by Hurricane Rita wreaking havoc with so many other people’s lives; global warming seeming less and less a hypothesis and more and more a fact; major political figures indicted or being investigated for corruption; the vicious war in Iraq spinning further out of control; more U.S. soldiers being implicated in the torture and mistreatment of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan; economists warning that the government is spending way beyond its means and digging the nation much deeper into debt; budgets for human services getting cut while more and more go without adequate health care; fuel and natural gas prices going up as winter approaches; more and more well paying jobs being outsourced to Asia.  I could go on, but you get the point. 

It is true that times are rough for a lot of people.  Many of you reading this right now fall within that category.  I know that and my heart goes out to you.

Nevertheless, there is a psychic peril in narrowing one’s focus too much on all the dire news and pessimistic prognostications about the future.  When an individual does this excessively, he or she is well advised to seek counseling.  When taken to extremes, such states of mind lead to depression, anxiety disorders or other forms of mental illness.  Yet when we do this collectively – when most agree that things are bad and will probably just get worse and there doesn’t seem to be much help for it – this is just seen as stark realism.  It’s almost as though we consent to be collectively anxious and depressed because we simply see no alternative.  

The media are complicit in promoting such mindsets of fear, anxiety and dread with sensationalistic reporting that skews public perceptions.  Of course what constitutes the news is that which is extraordinary, unusual, “newsworthy” – usually such things as wars, conflicts, tragedies, corruption, crime and crises.  This means that the every day wonders and blessings of life get short shrift.

Yet there is one thing that is quite amazing and dramatic that is perpetually overlooked by doomsayers – the greatness of the human spirit.  There is something resilient, indomitable, adaptable, a truth-beauty-freedom loving quality within us that often plays a major role in the unfolding of events.  So often, this is not even mentioned.  But then, I guess it is not the role of the press to report on or acknowledge such an imponderable thing as “the human spirit.”

But it is the role of religious communities to acknowledge such forces, to look beyond the discouragements of the day, to embrace and express a spirit of encouragement that is an active agent in enhancing life.  Or, as the progressive Christian activist Jim Wallis puts, “Hope is believing in spite of the evidence, then watching the evidence change.” 

All of the above is merely a prelude to this invitation:  On Saturday morning, October 15, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, every member and friend is invited and encouraged to attend UUCS’s first ever Vision & Mission Workshop, where we will begin to forge our own unique vision of encouragement that will serve to inspire and challenge us to live up to our highest potential. 

Love, Rick 

We’re Back!

Summer is over and the Sunday morning Reader’s Forum is meeting once again. Currently we are continuing with John Buehrens’ Understanding the Bible: An Introduction for Skeptics, Seekers, and Religious Liberals and accompanying readings.

If you are interested in previewing what we are reading, there are a couple of copies of Buehrens’ book in the UUCS library. Join us at 9:15 am for coffee and a lively discussion.  If you have questions please contact Don Wolf.

 

Auction?  What Auction?

So we’re having an auction, but you don’t know much about it yet.  Let’s try to tell you everything we know about it:

Why are we having an auction?  The immediate reason for this auction is to augment the pay of our staff; our approved budget includes only a 2% increase, but you all know that 2% doesn’t cover a cost of living increase this year.  We will also support some underfunded accounts.  But another reason for an auction now is that they are fun, and we last had one in February 2000!

Where will the proceeds go?  First, they will augment staff pay another 2% for two years (two years because we shouldn’t use one-time money to fund responsibilities that continue).  Second, proceeds will catch up with funding for the Sabbatical Fund and the Maintenance Reserve, up to $4000 each.  Third, the Board will designate uses for the remainder of the proceeds.

When and where?  The auction will be in our Hanneman Fellowship Hall, starting at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday evening, November 12.

How will the auction be conducted?  There will be both silent and oral auction sections.  We will have a licensed auctioneer conducting the oral auction.  Silent auction items will be on tables in our Sanctuary.

How can I know what will be in the auction?  We will publish a list of auction items for people to pick up after church November 6.  This is the main reason we want to know all the auction items by October 30!

Can I submit absentee bids?  Yes.  You may want to submit bids in advance if you can’t be at the auction that evening.  Absentee bids will also be useful for the auction helpers, so they don’t miss out while on duty!  But you must buy a ticket in order to submit absentee bids!

How much are tickets, and when and where can I buy them?  Tickets will be $10 per person.  All the auction helpers will buy their tickets (we won’t make the auctioneer buy one!).  Tickets will be on sale at a table in Hanneman Hall after church every Sunday until the auction; you can also mail a check to the UUCS office and we’ll mail you tickets.

Will I be able to pay for my purchases by credit card?  Yes, we are making arrangements for you to use Visa/Mastercard.

Will there be child care?  Yes, we will have child care available at no charge, but tell Claire Diehl before Saturday, November 5.

Is this a party?  YES!  Your ticket provides you with some nice munchies and beverages.  There will also be complimentary wine.  You will be seated at festive tables in Hanneman Hall to enjoy the refreshments and the bidding action.  Come have a good time!

Can I bring friends?  Of course you can.  Participation is not limited to UUCS members; anyone can come join the party – and bid high, we hope!

Will we have chairs for everybody?  Hanneman Hall can seat about 160 people; we may have to limit tickets to that number. 

Can I still donate items and services?  How?  Bless you, of course you can.  We are recording all items on forms, which are used to build the auction catalog.  You can get and/or fill out a form after church any Sunday through October 30.  Or phone George Struble.  We want to know all items by October 30 so we can finish building the catalog.  We prefer that you not bring the items themselves until Friday, November 11; otherwise we have a storage problem!  We can come pick up items, especially larger ones that need a truck.

What can I give?  See the last newsletter for suggestions.  Briefly, you can give things, like art objects, equipment, or stuff for other peoples’ grandkids.  Or you can give services, like a dinner for a bunch of people, or yard, handyman, or computer help.  Use your imagination; your fellow church members are using theirs! 

Does the auction still need help?  Yes, we will need people to receive and prepare the items November 11 and 12, and to set up the tables and chairs.  Then we need lots of people during the auction, to stage the items for the auctioneer, record bids, staff the beverage and food tables, check out purchases to buyers, act as cashiers…  We hope to have enough people so each one is only responsible for an hour or so during the auction itself.  To volunteer for any of these, phone George.

Who is doing all this work?  The core planning group includes Andrea Dailey, Lori Jenkins, Mary Murphy, Nancy Murphy, Lois Nodland, Pat Posner, George Struble, and Kate Walker.  Thanks for asking, but the preparation is fun too!

                                                               George Struble

 

Path to Membership

You will have an opportunity to learn more about how to become a member of the UU Congregation of Salem on Sunday, October 16^th, immediately after the service. We will meet in Rev. Rick’s office and talk specifically about membership opportunities and responsibilities. There will be a light sandwich lunch served during this hour-long meeting. Come explore opportunities for spiritual growth, stimulating services, and opportunities to meet others who share similar goals and values.  Child care will be provided.

 

Openings on the Sunday

Services Team

The Sunday Services Team is looking for new celebrants (masters of ceremony for Sunday Services).  The training will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday, November 5, at the church, with a pot luck lunch following.  New celebrants will be paired with experienced celebrants as a Celebrant/Anchor team.  If you are at all interested, please talk to Phil Carver or any celebrant.  All are welcome.

Welcome, Shelley!

Please welcome Shelley Kennen as our new Soup Kitchen Coordinator!  She has worked tirelessly every time our congregation was called upon to manage the soup kitchen during the past year, and she has just assumed the duties of coordinator.

Shelley, a delight to work with, sincerely asks for your help in carrying out the UUCS commitment to the Jason Lee Methodist Church Soup Kitchen.  If you want to help by providing soup and/or serving at the soup kitchen, email or call Shelley.

Thank you, Dennis Ehrp

 

Salem Peace Lecture

The annual Peace Lecture, of which UUCS is a sponsor, will be held this year on Wednesday, October 19, at 7:30 p.m. at Hudson Hall, Mary Stuart Rogers Music Center, Willamette University.  The speaker will be Phyllis Bennis, a senior analyst at the Institute of Policy Studies in Washington, D.C.  The title of her talk is “Challenging Empire: How people, governments and the U.N. are defying U.S. power.”  There is no charge to the public.

Dick Boyle, Social Action Team

 

Gun Turn-in

Ceasefire Oregon is sponsoring a gun turn-in October 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Jason Lee Methodist Church, 820 Jefferson Street NE.  UUCS is among the cosponsors of this opportunity to exchange un­wanted firearms for $50 merchandise cer­tificates.  No more than three certificates will be given to one person, but there is no limit to the number of weapons that can be turned in.  The police will destroy donated weapons.   

 

Interfaith Hospitality Network

We enjoyed out visiting families from September 12 to 19, and housed and fed them well.  Rosa Barton and I had a lot of help from over fifty volunteers from our congregation, Salem Friends Meeting, and Trinity Methodist Church.  Some of our new volunteers included Michelle Cordova and daughters Phoenix and Tara, Amy Young Leith, Betty and Paul Rice, and Ray and Nancy Files.  And what would we do without those of you who have volunteered again and again through the years?

Besides all that, our choir under Dave Boaz’ direction, singing John Rutter’s “For the Beauty of the Earth,” bowled them over at First Presbyterian Church Sunday evening, September 25, at SIHN’s second annual music night.  The occasion raised $1700 for the group.  Our singers were Berta Aronson, Jill Baker, Virginia Corrie Cozart, Dennis Ehrp, John Gorman, Joel Martin, Barbara Stebbins-Boaz, Elsa Struble, Mieke Visser, and John Roy Wilson.

Loraine Stuart

 

 

Coaching Network

A number of professionally trained life coaches anchored in the UU principles of compassion, integrity and inclusion have formed a nation-wide network.  Visit their website, www.uucoachingnetwork.org, whether you’re seeking a coach, seeking to join the network, or just interested in knowing more about the group.  Our former minister Maureen Killoran is a member of the network; you can find her photo and description on the web page!

 

November Series

Psychotherapist Clayre Heaslip is offering four classroom-style meetings for older adults dealing with depression or anxiety on November Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m.  Requirements:  pre-registration by October 17 and commitment to attend all four sessions.   Cost is $20.  Information: Clayre Heaslip or Rick Davis.

 

Board Meeting Highlights

Present at the September 8 meeting: Chair David Boaz, Jon Diehl, Kristen Hunt, Alma Marianos, Diana Nicholson-Nelson, Lois Nodland, Marian Robison, and Rev. Rick Davis. Absent:  Chuck Howard, Lori Jenkins.  

Also Present: Guests George Struble, Kay Cogswell, Loraine Stuart, Mike Eichman, and Karen Piter.

Membership Team: Co Leader Kay Cogs­well presented a written report on implications of the team’s reduced budget. Kay was asked to present a written request for reimbursement of new member dinner costs and/or a request for the food to be donated.

Finance Team: The Treasurer’s Report was accepted with gratitude. It was noted that the expenses for the first two months of this fiscal year are $2,964 over income. The Board approved an assistant position to provide back up for Treasurer Marian Robison. Quarterly statements of pledge accounts will be sent to members.

Finance Team Leader George Struble will write a newsletter article regarding member pledges, is seeking a Chair for the Canvass Committee, and presented a proposal to establish a maintenance reserve fund. The Board approved establishment of the fund.

George asked the Board to ratify a plan for distribution of proceeds of the UUCS November auction. The Board ratified using the proceeds to support two years of 2% salary increments for UUCS staff, with Jon Diehl abstaining from the vote.

The Board voted to accept the donation of a car from Ken and Joan Erickson with expression of appreciation.

The Board voted to approve a September 11 special collection for the UUCS partner church to help with member flood damage.

The Board referred UUCS response to southern US hurricane damage to the Social Action Committee.

Ongoing Business and New Business agenda items were postponed until the October 13^th Board meeting – with the exception of approval of the date change for the special congregational meeting from September 18 to September 25.

Written Reports were provided by Rick Davis and Associate DRE Lise Sherry.

Lois Nodland

 

News of the UUCS Community

 

Former UUCS member Alma Howard’s life ended on Saturday, September 24, after she had combated cancer more than three years.  Three weeks earlier she had chosen to enter a residential hospice facility in Seattle and consume nutrients no longer. Her husband, Herman Leder, reported she suffered no pain, and welcomed death when it came.

Alma will be remembered for her ardent political views, e.g., believing that the consequences of the Free Trade Movement would be the further exploitation of people in the hemisphere. She and Herman marched in protest at the Seattle WTO meetings. Locally, she spearheaded voluntary simplicity and an annual “slow food” dinner at UUCS. It was Alma who initiated UUCS’ use of peace coffee, grown organically and harvested by people who are paid a fair wage.

A memorial service will be held on October 8, 1:00 p.m. at the West Seattle Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship, 4736 40^th SW, Seattle. Two of Alma’s four sons live in the Seattle area and have been consistently attentive to Alma’s and Herman’s needs. Herman’s daughter will arrive next week from London, and his son and daughter-in-law are staying with him currently; following the memorial they will dismantle his apartment, and return with him to their Michigan home.

UUCS member Stan Tepper will have hip replacement surgery at Salem Hospital on October 7. He is seeking someone to do light housekeeping for him at his West Salem home following the surgery.

Good news! John Roy Wilson announced that his wife, Janet Brown, is recuperating very well from recent surgery.

October 8 is the date for the first Young Religious Unitarian Universalists sleepover.  And the weekend of October 21-23 is the fall “Youth Con,” appropriately themed “Confluence,” which this year is hosted by the Olympia YRUUs and held at Camp Cistus, outside Randall, WA. Advisors Amanda Nelson and Mark Powell will transport the group. YRUU meets each Monday evening at UUCS with the second Monday of the month reserved for either the Coming of Age program or the Our Whole Lives (OWL) curriculum; members select which of the two they will attend.

Danica Rochester, eldest daughter of Millie and Roger Rochester, grew up at UUCS, so it was logical that Danica wanted Jane Fields to attend her wedding. Danica and fiancé Judah McAuley were married September 24^th at Pendarivis Farm, in the east Clackamas County hill country. Jane reported that not only Millie and Roger, Issac, and Nathan attended, but also Danica’s maternal grandparents from Pennsylvania, and her paternal grandmother from Yuma. Danica and Judah will continue to live in Eugene.

Congratulations to Agnes Clark, who will celebrate her 80^th birthday on October 11th!

Jo Bateman’s complete address at Capital Manor is 1955 Dallas Hwy. NW, Apt. 624, Salem, 97304.

This issue of the newsletter is the last I shall write. I believe firmly that the communal sharing of joys and concerns and milestones along our way supports the closeness we hope to achieve in our religious community. I hope that someone will offer to take up the pen.

Joan Erickson

 

[The editors are very grateful for the “human touch” that Joan has provided to the newsletter the past few years.  Let Ellen Howard know if you’re interested in filling, say, one of her shoes!  In the meantime, please contact editors@uusalem.org, to share personal news,]

 

You Noticed!

The editors, encouraged by the Communications Team, are experimenting with an 8.5 x 11 format.  As more people receive the newsletter by email or find it on our web page (www.uusalem.org), a format friendly to home printers and paper supply becomes desirable.

An advantage to using 8.5 x 14 paper has been that we can fold the pages instead of using staples.  A sheet of 11 x 17 paper used to cost considerably more than 2 sheets of 8.5 x 11, but the cost is now similar, so it’s not an extravagance to use it.  For easier reading, especially on-screen, we’ll try using more white space, though of course that increase the paper cost!

Let us know at editors@uusalem.org how you like this format.