Unitarian Universalist Church of Jackson

NUUSLETTER

 A Newsletter for our Members and Friends

September 2005 - Web Edition

Love is the spirit of this church, and service is our law.

To dwell together in peace, to seek the truth in love, and to help one another.

This is our covenant

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Every Sunday Forum at 9:30am, Service at 11:00am

September 3

Forum: Speaking of Faith

Service: “And Your Vocation?”  Yes, it is Labor Day weekend and you may be away, but we at UUCJ will be asking ... And Your Vocation? Vocation has meant many things in different times. What can it bring to the lives of contemporary laborers? Reverend Luck will deliver the message.

September 11

Forum: Speaking of Faith

Service:  “Questions for the Religious Journey:” What does it mean to be religious? Why do the idea and the experience of God persist in an age of science? What validates moral values and rescues us from being either moralistic or relativistic? Are religious communities a help or hindrance to a spiritual life? The Reverend Luck will preach.

September 18

Forum: Speaking of Faith

Service:  Autumn Equinox, Margaret Drake.

September 25

Forum: Speaking of Faith

Service:  Sabri Agachan will deliver the message, "Necessity of Belief."

Deadline for submissions to the September UUCJ NUUSletter: September 18.  Please make submissions to NUUSletter@uujackson.org.

If you would like to receive the NUUsletter by email, please user our NUUS subscription form.

Mississippi Musings

By Rev. Jacqueline Luck

Yes, this is the minister's column. I have decided to change the name since this ministry of ours is less the New Leaf it was last year, and recently my sister reminded me of the ponderer she knows me to be.  Since my pondering is taking place in the Metro Center and the Pine Belt, and all that lies in between, Mississippi Musings seems an appropriate title.

Last Sunday I heard the first spot on Mississippi Public Radio, “Speaking of Faith was brought to you in part by the Unitarian Universalist congregations in Mississippi.” Hallelujah! I called Rita and Leonard Clark immediately to thank them once again. We are off to a great start! I think we can expect much as a result of this media exposure. Much what? Much that is good, much that is new, much that you have hoped for, and, much you may have to deal with when your wishes come true.

Yes, of course, I am speaking of change. You want folks in the Magnolia State to know they have progressive religious options, and hopefully near to them.  Those that go to the new website, www.msuu.org, will find directions to each of the six MS congregations’ webpages. We just might see some new folks in all of those congregations, and that will be wonderful! Truly, wonderful.

However, you know there is no such thing as new people and everything staying the same way it was for long.  Nope, new folks bring changes, and UUCJ and Our Home will change. Plucks your heart strings, doesn't it? But, this is not news to you. I know you have considered this a lot, and you have thought what a bittersweet thing change can be. Things will change over time one way or another, that is a constant, and you have chosen to risk the change that comes with congregational growth.

There will be new faces, more kids, different ideas about how to do things, all in YOUR CHURCH. It is hard to assimilate this newness, to let go of control when each one of you has worked so hard to keep your church's doors open Sunday after Sunday, year after year. You have done amazing things because you were invested in the church, which will make it more likely to be difficult at times. You will need to support each other in your growing. You can tell me about it, and how it is with you. I know you can do it. You probably think I am making a big deal out of nothing. After all, you want the churches to grow; that change will bring new potentialities. Yes, and I hope I am dead wrong.

One more thing I want to say is, I love you for your courage, and for your willingness to do the hard work of change and growth. You are the stewards of Unitarian Universalism in this most beautiful state. You are to be congratulated and thanked.

In beauty, Jacqueline

P.S. I will preach the 21^st in Jackson, drive to Ellisville the 22,^nd preach the 28^th and back to Jackson on Monday the 29.^th  Then we will settle into a pattern of my being in Jackson the first two weeks of the month and in Ellisville the last two weeks; fifth Sundays I will rest. Mondays will still be driving days, and I try to get off by noon.

The President’s Corner

The President’s Corner:

Summer is supposed to be a time of rest, yes?  Well August has been anything but a restful time for your board and president.  We have had two board resignations and the president is required to fill them until our next annual meeting in March when we hold elections for all vacant board positions.  Natalie Maynor and Joe Clayton will be co-VPs of Membership and Ray Shenefelt will become treasurer again.  In November, probably Nov. 13^th, we will have a congregational meeting to re-elect someone to replace Ray on the Nominating Committee.

It is an exciting time to look forward to fall at church because we start new religious education programs for both children and adults.  With the sponsorship by Unitarian-Universalist Congregations of Mississippi of Krista Tippet’s “Speaking of Faith” we can expect that some listeners will want to visit to learn more about us.  I hope all members and friends will welcome these seekers and show them where to find nametags, coffee or tea, where to take their children for our religious education classes, etc.  We want their first impression of us to be the really welcoming, loving people that we are.  If you see an unfamiliar face, I hope you will go to them and ask if they are visitors.  Don’t wait for someone else to welcome them.  Please welcome them in the same way you would if a guest came to your home.  Give them refreshments, offer them a chair, introduce them to others present, and show them how to feel comfortable in this place which is new to them. We are all in this together, in this effort toward hospitality for our guests.  This can be our most important ministry, welcoming seekers.

We are reinstating a Long Term Planning Committee again since the house to the south of our property will become available during the next six months.   Careful planning is in order for our congregation to make some decisions about our future here or elsewhere. If you have ideas, please tell the board.  When we have confirmed the names of the Long Term Committee members, you will want to tell them as well.

Margaret

Children’s RE News

The children and I created a puppet play, "Tabby Kitten and the Storm Drain," to present during the "Blending of Waters" Service on August 28. All of the puppets the children made this summer had parts in the play including such delightful and diverse characters as Zippy Blue, Tommy Giant, Charlie Dog, Flipper, and Gurgle Catfish.  What fun!

Margaret Drake helped the children write picture letters to accompany the quilt they had made in late spring and early summer. After being on display on August 28 the quilt will be sent to "More Than Warmth", an organization which sends quilts made by children in church or school groups to children around the world who have suffered from traumatic events.

Trina Cameron, Waverly Lyles, and Barbara Scobee were R.E. helpers in August.

In September we will begin with a multi-aged class utilizing materials from "U.U. Super Heroes" by Gaia Brown. After fall attendance stabilizes we may divide the children into 2 or 3 smaller classes.

There will be an R.E. Committee meeting following the service on Sept. 25 to make plans for October, including our annual UNICEF/Halloween party. R.E. Volunteers and parents are invited to attend.

Dary Shenefelt                    

 

Ramadan Dinner

On Friday evening, October 14^th, the Interfaith Dialog will offer a fast breaking dinner in honor of the Muslim Ramadan celebration.  The friend of our church, Sabri Agachan is the local leader and organizer.  We are all invited.  I hope you will put it on your calendar for 7 pm that Friday evening. 

 

Joys and Concerns

Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to our members who have recently lost family members: David Voisin, whose father died on August 2, and Ken Steere, whose mother died on August 23.  Our thoughts are with you and your families

 

Fall Forums

Speaking of Faith will continue to be the Sunday morning Forum topic through September.  If you would like to coordinate a Forum topic this fall, or would like a particular topic discussed, please contact any of our Forum Program Committee members:  Steve Bollinger, Bill Gressett, Jack Hammond or Brian Heffner.

HELP WANTED:

Production assistant for church newsletter urgently needed.  Duties include copying, folding, labeling, stamping, and mailing newsletters—in other words, all the thankless, tedious tasks and none of the creative, fun ones!  Salary: None—but you do get a title and your name in print.  (Note from you webmistress - I'll even put your name on the website if you like!) Don’t miss this opportunity!  The first person to express any interest at all will be hired immediately.  Please contact Susan Voisin.