Unitarian Universalist Church of Jackson

NUUSLETTER

 A Newsletter for our Members and Friends

  July 2004 - Web Edition

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Every Sunday Fellowship at 9:30am, Service at 11:00am
(Note: Forums are on hiatus for the summer.)

July 4

       Service:  "Annual Soap Box Sunday" coordinated by Fran Leber.  Ever been told to "get off your soapbox?"  Well, not here!  UUCJ will hold its traditional "Soap Box" Sunday where anyone can get on our soapbox and speak his or her mind!  (Of course, we have a few rules of decorum, but otherwise, you can have the floor for a few minutes to speak on your favorite topic, or gripe your favorite gripe.)  Come on out, folks!  This is always a great time.  And afterwards, ice cream will be served.  (Let's just hope all that hot air doesn't melt the ice cream before we can get to it!)

July 11

       Service:  Excerpts from the play "Rumors of Angels" by Stephen Morgan, a young local playwright.  Marianne Hill, coordinator.  POTLUCK lunch and Congregational Meeting will follow.

July 18

       Service:  "How Shall We Die?" will be a forum-type program with a brief presentation and discussion about end-of-life decisions, assisted suicide, etc.  Margaret Drake, coordinator.

July 25

       Service:  "Don't Worry; Come On, Get Happy," Jim Becker, coordinator and presenter.  (Based on the music of Bobby McFerrin and The Partridge Family)

Deadline for submissions to the August UUCJ NUUsletter: July 18.  Please make submissions to Susan Voisin at NUUsletter@uujackson.org.

The President’s Corner

Wow!  What a day it was today.  We had a full house turn out to meet the Ministerial Search Committee’s candidate for our Minister next year.  Jacqueline Luck, a Southern gal born in Louisiana and presently a Chaplain Intern at the Memphis VA Hospital, started her day with breakfast with the Board followed by the Summer Solstice service with Deidre Harris giving the message.  Jacqueline spoke briefly about herself and expressed her willingness to join us in going forward with our vision of growing the church, both internally in numbers, and externally in the larger community of Jackson and of Mississippi.  Afterwards, during a most sumptuous Potluck (thank you all for your good cookin’ to cover my “staple” vegetable lasagna!), Jacqueline spoke a few more words about herself, her theology, her path to the ministry, and her loves.  She welcomed questions, and even shared a few stories with us–ask her about the time she was mistaken for a Baptist preacher!  There were serious moments, amusing moments, and some downright hilarious moments.  In the end, all were as gracious to Jacqueline as I knew they would be. 

Information on Jacqueline’s background, with samples of her sermons, children’s stories, and Adult RE classes, was distributed to those present, so that everyone would have the opportunity to get to know more about her.  This information will be present at the Church for the next few Sundays, together with her entire packet to review, so that any who were not able to be present today can pick one up and take it home.  On Sunday, July 11, 2004, we will have a called Congregational Meeting to request affirmation by the congregation of Jacqueline as our Minister for the coming church year.  We are all hoping that this will work out to be a longer relationship, but, well, let’s just take one step (year) at a time.

Thanks, folks.  It could not have been a successful day without your support, openness, and faith in our vision.  Sometimes we stumble, and we may hit a few bumps in the road, but we are moving forward.  I applaud you and thank you.  

JoAnn

Reminder: There will be a Congregational Meeting after church on Sunday, July 11, to affirm the Ministerial Search Committee's choice for our Shared Minister.

Children’s RE

Our summer program, “What's Your Passion II,” is providing a lot of fun and variety for the children and guest teachers.   Dennis Pate and David Voisin brought a game of “Twister” and a watermelon.  Aimee Hagen and Liz Steere helped the children paint “pet rocks.”  Patricia Ice-Chandler brought her collection of African dresses and presented an African Peace Corp slide show.  

On June 27, Fran Leber is planning activities in connection with our 5th UU principle- speaking out and voting on things that matter for us.  Games and their own “soapbox” experience are planned by Dary for the 4th of July.  On July 11, Susan Voisin will share her love of cooking.  George Barnes, assisted by Ranjan and Dary, will take the children to visit our neighborhood fire station on July 18.

There will be a religious education committee meeting following the service on June 27 to make plans for the 2004-2005 curriculum.  Anyone who has an interest in children's religious education is invited to attend.
                                             --Dary Shenefelt

July 31^st is Clean-Up Day!

The Buildings and Grounds Committee would like to invite everyone to an important summer event that will help make our church a more inviting and enjoyable place to worship and socialize.  Beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 31^st, please join us for a church clean-up day.

We have a list of jobs large and small to do—or you can tackle a chore that you discover needs doing—so everyone will be able to find something just right to help with.  Whether you like working in the fresh air outside or cleaning up inside, there will be something you can do to make UUCJ a pleasant place to be.  And if you’re not able to put in the elbow grease, please consider dropping by with snacks and drinks for the workers. 

So, mark your calendar right now for the last Saturday of the month.  Clean-up day won’t come around again until October, so this is our last chance for a while to make our buildings and grounds shine.  We need all the hands we can get!

Nothing will work unless you do. - Maya Angelou

Even though Forums have taken a breather for the summer, there will be a gathering of people at the 9:30 a.m. hour on Sundays to meet, greet, and hold a discussion-style group.  For more information, see Brian Heffner or Jim Becker.

UU Gospel Slingers

The UU Gospel Slingers have decided to meet through the summer, on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 in the Shoe Bird Café on the Belhaven campus.  If you are interested in attending, contact Jim Becker.

On Saturday, July 17, the Jackson Branch of the American Association of University Women is presenting a conference, TRANSITIONS, for women returning to school.

 REMINDER:  Don't forget to pick up information on Jacqueline Luck.  It will be available during Worship for the next few Sundays.