Unitarian Universalist Church of Jackson

NUUSLETTER

 A Newsletter for our Members and Friends

September 2006 - 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:  Labor Day.  The meaning and the significance of this holiday will be our topic of discussion.  Presenter / facilitator:  Brian Heffner

Service:  On the Anniversary, The Reverend Jacqueline Luck.  We westerners mark life changing moments and events with anniversaries.  Moments from the sublime to the most difficult moments of our lives held in an anniversary.

September 10

Forum:  Fears.   This topic intends to address, however directly or obliquely, the psychic trauma and physical scars resulting from the events of September 11th, 2001.  We'll discuss what threatens our sense of personal security.  Facilitator:  Brian Heffner

Service:  Our Reason for Being, The Reverend Jacqueline Luck.  This title came to me in an article about the demise of congregations by John C. Morgan. These are quotes from that article: "We simply lost our reason for being." We "failed to be clear about our vision and theology and to promote and defend it with our very lives." "Our identity got fuzzy, our reason for being revolved mainly around fellowship with people of like minds. Consequently people went elsewhere to be fed."

 September 17

Forum:  Hebrew Bible.   Intended to prepare a foundation of familiarity, this presentation will offer insight into Judaism, and a context for the upcoming holiday of Rosh Hashana.   Presenter:  Peter Haik   

Service:  What Does My Faith Ask of Me?  The Reverend Jacqueline Luck.  I find myself asking this question as I note on the calendar that this week both devout Jews and Muslims will be entering a period of holy days of prayer and contemplation, of remembering and of telling their story.

 

September 24

Forum:  Southern Jewish Experience.   Speaker: Neola Young from the Museum of Southern Jewish Culture. Facilitator:  Tom Head

Service:  Rosh Hashanah. Peter Haik, coordinator.

 

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

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

Mississippi Musings

What a summer! I think I can safely say anyone in Jackson, MS, who reads the newspaper or watches the televised local news, now knows there is a Unitarian Universalist Church in Jackson and something about what is important to this congregation. We could thank Operation Save America for that, though it is not a preferred way of receiving publicity. I do think we have been cast favorably, and much of the credit for that goes to Waverly Liles, your Board of Trustees President, as well as those of you who were present Sunday morning, July 16th.

The congregation demonstrated the stability and spiritual clarity that comes from the nearly sixty years of this congregation's existence in Jackson. Jackson's Unitarian Universalist church has grown year after year as it has gathered its energy for a time such as this, a time when the congregation is poised for growth.  

There is much to consider as the generosity of two of UUCJ's members has afforded this congregation an opportunity few congregations of 54 members are awarded. You are in a unique situation: a time for creativity and focus, a time of visioning and excitement, and a time for the commitment to bringing that vision into fruition.

I have a potted hibiscus plant on my patio. It has such long branches that when a blossom  blooms its weight pulls the branch down, and the beautiful tangerine blossom can barely be seen. I have tied a thin cord around the plant to gather the branches so they support one and another when in bloom. The string is not so tight that it binds the plant; rather it lightly guides the new growth toward the center of the plant. My hope is that the plant will grow in collective strength so that all of its blossoms can easily be seen. I mind what the hibiscus needs for nurture, water and sun. The pot tends to hold water, so I check it often to be sure the soil is damp enough to allow new root growth, but not too damp for the roots to stay healthy. In the winter I bring the plant inside the house.

You have a minister dedicated to supporting you this year as you define yourselves and grow toward the sun—as you blossom. This is a growing time and the support of all is necessary; it is a time for each member to find her/his role in the growth of the ministry of the congregation. It is a time for celebrating new growth and beauty, a time for sharing enthusiasm and inviting others to add their strength to yours. This is a time for carefully tending the future of this Unitarian Universalist congregation. The future of the progressive religious voice in Jackson lies in your/our hands this year.

Yours in faith,

Jacqueline  

Children’s RE News

Welcome back everyone!  We certainly have missed all our families who were away this summer.  Now that most schools are in session, the children are returning, and it has been wonderful to get reacquainted with all of you.

During the months of June and July, the children worked on props for our presentation of The Stonecutter: A Japanese Folktale by Gerald McDermott.  It is a story of power and the consequences of using power improperly.  Many thanks to Jim Cameron for constructing our mountain, to Dary Shenefelt for her fabulous puppetry work, and to all the children who participated in the making of our sun and cloud.  The presentation of our version of The Stonecutter took place Sunday, August 20.  Although the children had little time to practice, they all did a great job. 

Keely started and ended our play as the first storyteller and also played the part of the cloud.  Elena was also a storyteller, and her friend and guest Georgie helped with props and played the role of the young stonecutter.  (Thank you, Elena, for bringing your friends to church.)  Caitlyn was the part of the very dramatic Stonecutter.  The Great Power That Be was played by Dary Shenefelt.  Did you know she had such a low voice?  Our solo trumpet player was Chase, grandson of the Shenefelts.  Thank goodness Chase was able to be with us or we would have had no music at all.  We lost power to the CD player and were not able to use our recorded Japanese music.  David played the part of the prince as well as a storyteller.  Did you know he was such a good dancer?  The farmer was played by Sharmila and she was also a storyteller.  Claire was our shining sun.  Katie was also a storyteller.  Welcome back Katie!  A great big thank you to all who helped carry props back and forth between the buildings.  Not only does it take a village to raise our children, it also takes a village to present a play!

We hope you enjoyed our folktale.  The Stonecutter reminded us that it is not wrong to desire power, but it is important to remember how to best use it.  As noted by Rev. Luck, "power is not necessarily a bad thing, but we want people that don't forget how it is to be human and loving to be the people with power...power can certainly be the power for goodness."  

Sunday, September 3, the children will begin their time together in the sanctuary with a story from our minister.  Following the story the children will be dismissed to their classes.  We will be beginning a new curriculum on Sunday, September 10.  A good portion of our study this year will revolve around creation stories or earth origins from around the world.  We are hoping to group the children by ages to offer experiences tailored to their different needs and interests.  It should be an exciting year for all of us as we grow and learn together. 

The R.E. Committee  

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Child Care: UUCJ wants to reach out to those with children, but to do this a responsible person or persons for child care need to be found. This person could be a member or friend of UUCJ or someone you can recommend. Remuneration is possible.

Religious Education: Trina Cameron is the new VP of Religious Education and is seeking those interested in helping enrich UUCJ's children. In particular, the nursery age children and the upper elementary/middle school youth will have teaching teams, incorporating more members of the congregation and their gifts. Dary Shenefelt enjoys teaching the lower elementary children, and does a great job. She has agreed to continue her ministry.

Building and Grounds: UUCJ has new outside lighting, a lighted sign, and a circle driveway with graveled parking lot which greatly increases the welcoming of visitors and members as well. Some might wish to volunteer to VP for Building and Grounds, Steve Bollinger, to help with sprucing up the exterior of the building. Bill, Chris and Clayton Gressett have volunteered to mow the grass every two weeks.

Welcoming: Natalie Maynor and Joe Clayton are Co-VP's for membership, but visitors and new members are expected this year, and it is everyone's role to help them feel welcome. One simple way is to wear your name tag; it is so much easier to learn names when one can see a face with the name written below it. Another is to sit with visitors, visit with them, and refer to the front of the hymnal, the sign in the kitchen, or the framed principles and purposes by the door and the leaflet rack for further information for them. Unitarians and Universalists do have beliefs. Maybe you might share what gets you out of the house on Sunday morning. This area of church life really needs a committee of dedicated members to share the joy.

NUUSLetter: Susan Voisin is the newsletter editor, but when it comes to folding and addressing the letters she'd like help. Such sessions are grand ways to get to know others and just have fun.

Care Ring: I've experienced the care of this congregation through the Care Ring this summer, and I am very appreciative of this necessary ministry of Susan Haik and Mary Margaret Bollinger.  Perhaps others would like help?  

Historian or Librarian: UUCJ's history is important. Some might want the role of saving newspaper clippings and other news about this community and recording it in a scrapbook, and someone could volunteer to make the church's library more functional.

Greening UUCJ: With Mary Margaret Bollinger's offering to manage the Free Trade Coffee used by UUCJ, and other sales of coffee, UUCJ has another greening opportunity. Brian Heffner has had a compost pile at UUCJ for a while, and perhaps there is a project you'd like to head up.

Something for Everyone: In a small congregation there is something rewarding for each person to enjoy doing to grow the church's ministry and presence. I encourage you to find your place of service.

Friday and Saturday, September 22-23, Minister and Congregation Weekend

 

Eunice Benton, the Mid South District Executive, is coming to UUCJ Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, 9/22-23, to facilitate a Minister and Congregation Weekend. This is a very important time for members of UUCJ and its minister as we shape this new ministry of ours. The session will begin Friday at 4:00, break for supper at 5:30, and continue for another hour, reconvening Saturday morning at 8:30 until noon, when the program will conclude. It is understood that some will come in late as they get off work. Pizza may be ordered or simple meal, such as spaghetti, prepared for a nominal cost to attendees. Please make this weekend a priority on your calendar.  Please leave a message on the church telephone (601-982-5919) to RSVP for dinner and state whether you will need child care.

Saturday, September 16, Worship Assistants Training

 

The Mid South District, comprised of all UU congregations in MS, AL, three in FL, most of GA, and two in TN, is having its training for Worship Assistants at UUCJ. If you'd like to help with the hosting, or participate in the training, this is your opportunity! It will never be easier than now to get the skills for assisting in the worship service of this congregation. There will be lay or guest led services at least once each month this year as well as the summer services. Please RSVP to Waverly on the church answering service: 601-982-5919.

UUCJ's Building Fund

 

With the financial base of the church in mind the Board of Trustees established a building fund last spring dedicated to the future of UUCJ in Jackson. Gifts can be made in "honor of" members and friends on a birthday, or in a memorial gift for a loved one. These gifts can be mentioned in the newsletter, noting the intent of the gift but not mentioning the sum. It's easy to imagine that members would be very pleased and honored to know a contribution to the future possibilities of UUCJ was made in their name. There are those who are friends of this congregation as witnessed by the emails received in support of the church this July and last September who might want to contribute. Often people have their church's building fund or endowment written into their wills, or perhaps some may want to make a one time gift to the fund

 

Ironweed Film Club
New this Fall!

We will be starting up a new film club this fall with selections from Ironweed films. Ironweed distributes award winning independent films including documentaries, one-man shows, shorts, and dramas exploring current issues such as immigration, sex education, Mid-East conflicts, elections, prisons, and much more. These films will entertain and enlighten leaving you with a greater understanding of the complexity of life. You may even be spurred into action by what you see! I encourage all film buffs and social action junkies to attend!

Our Home Universalist Unitarian Church Centenial

UUCJ's sister church is celebrating its Centennial the weekend of September 22-24. Some are leaving at noon that Saturday and staying overnight for Sunday's worship service led by the Rev. Gordon Gibson.

Mississippi Pagan Pride Day-Jackson

Mississippi Pagan Pride Day-Jackson is honored to invite you to Celebrate the Autumn Equinox on September 10th, at Jamie Fowler Boyll City Park, Jackson from 9am - 6pm.

All ages are Welcome at this Free event, which will feature Pagan religious ceremonies. There will be information booths on Pagan spiritual practices, Civil Rights Issues, Networking, and Voter Registration.  There will be lots of family-friendly activities, including a Children's Arts and Crafts Show, as well as games and a Storytellers Contest, a Poetry Contest, and an Arts & Crafts Contest.

Recycling Opportunities

Please drop off unwanted books and magazines at the church office.  They will be collected and distributed throughout the Jackson Medical Mall.

And don’t forget to feed our church compost pile and the busy, hungry and tireless earthworms.  Acceptable contributions are vegetable trimmings, coffee grounds, fruit bits and eggshells...no other animal products.

Margaret Sends Thanks

Margaret Drake sends her thanks to Fran Leber for throwing her a going-away party and to everyone who attended and celebrated with her.  She writes that she will use the money that people contributed to “buy stepping stones and sand for setting them in my new muddy yard.  Come sit on my new porch.”

It’s Chore Day Again!

The fifth Saturday of every month that has one is designated as Chore Day, and this month that day falls on September 30.  Grab a rake, broom, or tool of your choice and come make your church shine.  Get here early and work as long as you can, or drop by later in the day.  No one’s help will be refused!