THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST

 

The Newsletter of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, Oregon

October 19, 2005

 

Peace Lecture Tonight (October 19): Phyllis Bennis, from Washington’s Institute of Policy Studies speaks at 7:30 in Willamette’s Rogers Music Center on “Challenging Empire: How people, governments and the U.N. are defying U.S. power.”

 

October 15

Guess what happened last Saturday morning! The wonderfully advertised Vision Workshop drew a motivated crowd of about 65. We were lucky to have our District Executive for the PNW district, Janine Larsen, to inspire and facilitate some serious brainpower work by the participants. What were we working on? Merely our mission statement for UUCS, articulating who we are and who we are becoming as our church grows, and encapsulating our values and purposes as a congregation.

Janine reminded us that congregations are more like rivers than ponds: we are not placid and homogenous, and we and the passing scenery will keep changing. As the river flows, our mission statement will be our current touchstone, which we can use to guide our decisions over the next several years. The Transition Team has been guiding the congregation on a two year exploration of what it means for us to transition from a “pastoral” church to a larger “program” church, and this workshop is one of the high points on the journey.

We began by recapping some of the lessons learned from the value surveys (remember those blue sheets?) and small group discussions the Transition Team hosted over the last year, when we asked:  What brings you to UUCS?  What is it here that feeds your soul?  What are your yearnings, the things you want from and for the church?  What are the kinds of things you want to invest your resources in?  (See the September 21 newsletter.)  Sharing these thoughts out loud gave us a good basis for writing our mission/vision statements.

We individually devised our own statements (give it a try!), then merged them with another’s in duos, then in quartets, and then in six larger groups. The challenge, of course, was coming up with statements that were not so brief as to lose key pieces of meaning, not so wordy as to become cumbersome and unclear, and not so generic as to make our identity indistinguishable from any other church’s. The resulting statements and brief vision “bumper stickers” are listed below. What are we going to do with six? The Transition Team is charged to devise from them a single statement to propose to the congregation for adoption by consensus.

Adopting our mission statement will be the culmination of the Transition Team’s efforts, but everyone has agreed that it really is just the start of the next chapter in our history and development. The mission statement will help us be even more intentional about which direction we’re headed, and can be used to guide committee work, budgets, staffing decisions and much more. Those strategic planning activities are how we will start turning our intentions into realities. Sure, we’ve been doing this kind of thing all along, but since completing our last building phase, most of us have felt it’s time to renew our shared sense of our intentions as a congregation. As we close in on a statement of those intentions, you are encouraged to talk with your Transition Team about any key pieces of meaning for the mission statement that are particularly heartfelt for you.

 

* * * * * * * * * * *

 

1.  The UUCS is a community that promotes and lives the UUA principles. We work and learn together, and bring these values to the larger society.  Bumper sticker: Stewardship and Action based on moral truths.

2.   To be a purposeful congregation, exemplifying our guiding principles and actively engaging the larger world. Bumper sticker: All for one, and one for all.

3.  We nurture individual spiritual growth, an effective liberal religious community, and the building of a just society for a better world.

4.  Seeking spirituality and wisdom; Inspiring open hearts and minds; Encouraging community and social justice, with gratitude and humility. Bumper sticker: Open hearts, open minds, open community.

5.  We are a liberal community, grounded in a commitment to the search for truth and meaning, celebrating our individual spiritual journeys. We desire to serve others by building respectful and dynamic relationships with each other and in the greater community. Bumper sticker: Think About It. Unitarian Universalism.

6.  To build a home for free religious exploration, where we address the needs of our congregation and our community. Bumper sticker: Accepting all people - Exploring all truths.

Your Transition Team: David Boaz, Rick Davis, Claire Diehl, Stephanie Jernstedt, Kelli McKnight, Jon Walton

 

 

 

 

Reverential Ramblings

  

Once a week I come to a meeting here at UUCS where, I must confess, I sit and do nothing.  But then, neither does anyone else – at least for the first hour.  After this, we have do have some great discussions over herbal tea and cookies.  I am speaking of the weekly meetings of our meditation group, which has been ongoing for several years.

We tend to be a rather small group and most of us have been practicing – or striving to practice – meditation for a number of years.  In the beginning this can be a challenge.  At least it was for me.  I first began meditating in 1970 with a small Buddhist group that met in the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, Georgia.  Later, I meditated with Zen Buddhist groups in San Francisco, Washington D.C. and New York.    It was always hard for me to sit still and follow my breath – my mind wandered and my legs hurt.  Still, I came to experience the value of this practice.

In my late twenties and early thirties, when I was completing my formal education, I rarely took time to meditate, yet I never lost faith in it and resolved to return to the practice some day.  That day came when I entered the ministry.  It seemed only fitting that someone who was assuming the role of a religious leader should take his own spiritual growth seriously.  So, almost twenty years ago, I resolved to meditate every day unless prevented by illness.  I made it a priority and have always honored that.  Surely, this is one of the wisest decisions I ever made.  (I’ve made many foolish decisions, too, but let’s not go into that.)

Originally, I meditated with the goal of attaining “enlightenment” – which I believed would soon turn my life into a nirvanic breeze.  The great pitfall here, as I eventually learned, is that wanting “enlightenment” is no different from wanting a new sports car or some other material thing that you believe will bring you happiness.  Wanting something you don’t have is a form of greed and is inimical to the discipline of meditation, which is all about being present, letting go of desires for acquisition, and accepting who you are and where you are. 

Nowadays, I meditate because it feels right – I rarely feel better than when I am meditating, and perhaps more importantly, I notice afterwards how much more compassionate and present I feel.  It is unquestionably a transforming practice.

In fact, neuroscientists using high tech brain imaging devices have ascertained that meditation literally changes the circuitry of the brain, that it physically enhances the areas of the brain associated with higher mental activity, heightened awareness, happiness, positive thoughts and emotions.  Scientists, who used to believe that the connections in the brain were fixed early in life, now speak of the brain’s “neuro-plasticity” – its ongoing development even into the later stages of life. 

Those of us in the meditation group have great faith in this particular path, and we want to welcome others to this ancient practice.   Therefore our group invites one and all to An Introductory Class on Meditation on Monday, November 14 at 7:00 P.M.  Come wearing loose fitting clothes.  We provide the cushion, chair, backrest or bench (your choice) for you to sit on as you are able.

 

Love, Rick 

 

 

Tell me again, WHY an Auction Now?

 

There are four reasons for a UUCS auction this year:

1.      We want to raise the salaries/wages/contracts of our staff by 4% this year, but the budget only supports 2%.

2.      We need a Maintenance Reserve, so when needs develop that are beyond the current year’s operations budget, we can take care of them.  Similarly, our minister has accrued several months of sabbatical eligibility; we need a fund to cover some services of another minister when Rick decides he needs some of that sabbatical.  We will catch up some on both of these.

3.      Our previous auctions have been FUN, and we don’t want to go without one even one more year!  Let’s say it again: the food and beverages – including wine – are included in your admission ticket price of $10.  THIS IS NOT JUST A PARTY; IT IS THE UUCS SOCIAL EVENT OF THE FALL!  There will be child care, but you must phone Claire Diehl by November 5 so she knows how many child care providers to recruit.

There will be a silent auction beginning at 7:00, and an oral auction beginning at 7:30.  The silent auction will be at tables in our sanctuary; the oral auction – and the food and beverages – will be in Hanneman Fellowship Hall.  We will be able to accept Visa and Mastercard for your auction purchases.

Items to auction are coming in very nicely.  We have an exciting array of things, like exquisite Japanese jackets, a pair of darling table lamps, excellent paintings and posters, elegant bracelets, …  People are also volunteering themselves: a kayak trip, a wine-tasting dinner, a 4^th of July picnic, a cello-piano appearance for a special event (yes, a better cellist than I), resume/job search consulting …  We will happily accept more such “service” items: dinners, time at a vacation cabin, or a few hours of your expertise.  We are still accepting donations (October 30 is the deadline for getting your item into the printed catalog), but it’s already clear that we will have a wonderful array of things for you to buy! 

We will appreciate your volunteering to help us for an hour or more – Friday, November 11, to accept items and arrange them for the auction, Saturday during the day to continue accepting and arranging the items, and during the auction to help record bids, manage the silent auction, accept payments, keep the food and beverages coming, queue the items for the oral auction.

We also need more volunteers to bring finger food of various kinds for the evening.  Members of the Women’s Alliance have been recruited to bring some appetizers or sweets, but we can’t ask them to be the only chefs for a big occasion like this.  Again, phone me to volunteer.

The $10 admission tickets are on sale after church every Sunday.  You can also mail a check to the UUCS office and we will mail tickets to you.

‘Nuff said?

                                                                        George Struble

 

 

Printing and Mailing

People seem to like the newsletter’s larger format.  In the long run, we hope to offset the increased paper cost by mailing fewer copies as more of you choose to receive your newsletter by email (as an attachment or pasted into the message) or read/print it from the web page.  Inform editors@uusalem.org if you’d like to try an electronic version.

 

Photographers Wanted

We hope to photograph families in November and early December so that we can have a picture directory this year.  Adults or teens with digital cameras are needed.  If interested, contact (Kay Cogswell) and let her know what Sundays you’re available.

 

Alliance to hear Char Andrews

Charlene Andrews, who has become well-known locally and nationally because of her commitment to Compassion in Dying issues, will speak before our group on Thursday, November 3 at 7 p.m. at church. Come and hear an interesting talk on a timely subject.  All church women are welcome.

(Char lit a candle on October 9 celebrating the experience of representing terminally ill patients on a panel before the Supreme Court.  The discussion has been viewable at http://www.cspan.org/ by typing in her name.  She also recommends typing in “Kathryn Tucker” to get a discussion of the legal aspects of Death with Dignity legislation.  Char hasn’t let chemotherapy keep her from tennis and hiking!)

 

Sunday Services Team

The team is looking for new celebrants (masters of ceremony for Sunday Services).  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 contact me or any celebrant.  All are welcome.

Phil Carver

 

Come Early!

The Sunday morning Reader’s Forum meets at 9:15 to continue discussing John Buehrens’ Understanding the Bible:  An Introduction for Skeptics, Seekers, and Religious Liberals.  Info:  Don Wolf.

 

Shelley requests

Shelley Kennen, just welcomed by Dennis Ehrp as his successor as Soup Kitchen Coordinator, informs us that the next soup kitchen Sunday is November 6 at Jason Lee Methodist Church.  If you are available to help by providing soup and/or serving, please contact her

.

Silver Creek Falls Retreat

Reverend Rick invites you to sign up for the UUCS Men’s Retreat at Silver Creek Lodge in the state park.  It’s Friday evening, October 28, through Sunday morning, October 30.  $115 pays for everything, including good food.  This will be a time for building friendships, exploring ideas, hiking, playing, and relaxing. 

 

Small Group Ministry

If you were engaged by Rick’s October 16 sermon on our first principle, the inherent worth and dignity of every person, consider signing up for one of the groups that will be holding monthly discussions of our principles and purposes.  We are asked to commit to regular attendance so that we can get to know one another and our thoughts and beliefs on a deeper level than is possible on Sunday mornings.  Info:  Lise Adams Sherry.

 

Join the Lunch Bunch

UUs will next gather for lunch November 9 at the newest Italian restaurant in Salem, Pastamichi Italian Restaurant, 101 Wallace Rd NW.  The restaurant is at the intersection of Wallace Road and Edgewater Street in West Salem.  When you cross the Marian Street Bridge keep to the exit for Edgewater Street.  The first possible turn to the right after passing the traffic light at the base of the ramp is the entrance to the parking area.  Please telephone Fred Ratzeburg by Tuesday noon, November 8, so he can make reservations.

 

Board Meeting Highlights

Present at the October 13 meeting: Chair David Boaz, Jon Diehl, Alma Marianos, Diana Nicholson-Nelson, Lois Nodland, Marian Robison, Chuck Howard, Lori Jenkins, Rev. Rick Davis, and DRE Claire Diehl. Absent: Kristen Hunt.  

Guests:  George Struble, Loraine Stuart, and Jeff Geissler.

Treasurer’s Report: Marian reported that 19.7% of pledged revenue for 2005-06 has been received this quarter, and 22.8% of budgeted outgo has been spent. Expenses have been $6,498 over income. Capital pledge income is down and the reserve fund is being used to make mortgage payments. Quarterly statements of member pledges will be sent soon. After discussion of clarifying the quarterly statements, a motion carried to redesign the statements before January 1.

Canvass Director: The board approved the appointment of Jeff Geissler.

Guest at Your Table: Loraine Stuart presented materials she received from the UU Service Committee.  She will assist in that effort this year.

Ongoing Business: 

Assistant Treasurer: The board appointed Paul Rice to this off-board, non-signatory position which was approved at the September meeting.

Music Program Planning: David will convene a meeting of the ad hoc music committee – Loraine Stuart, Virginia Corrie-Cozart, Rick Davis, Isaac Szymanczyk and himself – to consider options for music at Sunday services.

Conflict Resolution Structure/Strategy:  Lois will arrange a meeting of the ad hoc UUCS Good Relations Committee: David Boaz, Kristen Hunt, Diana Nicholson-Nelson, Rev. Rick Davis, Christine Ertl, and herself.

Building Use Committee Update: The BUC was asked to seek help from the Nominating Committee in identifying a fifth member for the committee and to develop an alcohol use and storage policy for input from the congregation, reporting at the November meeting.

UUCS response to Katrina (Rita, Pakistan, Guatemala, etc.) After discussion of the many current disasters, the consensus was that UUCS members should be encouraged, in the spirit of generosity, to contribute individually as they are able.

New Business

October 15 UUCS Vision/Mission Workshop planning and phone calls were discussed.

February 16-17 PNWD Annual Meeting: UUCS is eligible to send four delegates to Port Townsend.  Those interested should contact any board member.

Midyear Board Retreat and Evaluation: The Annual Evaluation with the Committee on Ministry will be January 14, 2006. 

Authority to purchase, sign Agreements, etc.  There was discussion on authorization to act on behalf of the UUCS. Research will be done on the current policy.

Subject Line on E-mail Correspondence:  To simplify research, Board members were asked to not use the “reply” option but to use a new response with a clear subject line on e-mails.

Reports

Minister’s Report: Rev. Rick Davis’ written report emphasized the importance of acknowledging volunteer services at UUCS, and of developing a new directory to include photos.

Religious Education Report: DRE Claire Diehl provided a written report.

from Lois Nodland

 

Sunday’s Candles

On October 16, Ron Cummings quoted Camus:  “In the midst of winter…I discover within me an invincible summer” and thanked Rick and us for helping him find some summer after the death of his wife.  Dick French explained that he will be having surgery on his carotid artery this Friday but appeared more concerned about the stress on Marge.  Chuck and Ellen Howard attended the tenth anniversary celebration of the Portage (Kalamazoo), MI, UU congregation they’d been instrumental in founding—Chuck as president and Ellen as RE Director.     es

 

News of the UUCS Community

[Kim Willaman of Lifelines (see below) has agreed to take over the writing of this column from Joan Erickson, who did it so ably for several years.  Many thanks to them both!]

An update on Don Beale:  A few weeks ago, he suffered a massive heart attack.  To ensure such a thing doesn’t happen again, he had a series of operations to fit him with a pacemaker, an internal defibrillator, and even a monitoring pack that sends daily reports of his heart’s activity back to the Salem Hospital.  Don says, rather enthusiastically, that he is almost completely free of the restrictions placed on him by his doctor.  He’s still a bit sore from all of the surgery, but he’s feeling very good.  Recently, he got the go-ahead to start driving again.  With his renewed freedom, he plans to take his boat out so he can get caught up on his backlog of fishing.  He sends his gratitude for the outpouring of compassion he received from the UUCS community during the time he was so ill.

The Lifelines Lay Ministry Team, much like everything in life, has changed.  The new roster includes Jo Bateman, Michelle Cordova, Rick Davis, Rhea Devery, Jane Fields, Ray Files, Marge French, Ellen Howard, Jackie Klimowicz, Delores Lusk, Mary Murphy, Lise Adams Sherry, Mary Sohlstrom, and Kim Willaman.  The Lifelines Team is a group of volunteers who work with the minister to enhance the level of caring and support we give to our members, with a special emphasis toward reaching out to those who may feel disconnected from the life of the congregation.  If you have such a need, talk to one of the team members wearing a lavender button at Sunday services or call the church telephone number to leave a message with the confidential Lifelines warm line.  Someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

“Crossing Borders” is the title of Ann Kresge’s mixed media artwork series featured at the Blue Pepper Gallery for the month of October.  The gallery is located at 241 Commercial St. SE in Salem, for those who would like to stop by and have a look. Congratulations to Ann for earning such recognition.

Also, congratulations to Ernest Perez, who recently passed his real estate licensing exam.  Ernest hopes very soon to join one of the major real estate brokerage firms in the area.

Stan Tepper had hip replacement surgery on October 7.  His daughter Sharon reports that he came through the surgery well and was discharged on Monday, October 10, to recuperate at the Providence Benedictine Nursing Center in Mount Angel.  Stan would welcome any visitors or notes from people in the UUCS community, as he is likely going to be rehabilitating at the facility for another two weeks. 

Kim Willaman