Unitarian Universalist Church of Jackson

NUUSLETTER

 A Newsletter for our Members and Friends

November 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

 

November 5

Forum:  VOTING: Protections and Responsibilities.  Facilitated by Fran Leber

Service:  Remembering, The Reverend Luck.  All Souls Day is the first of November, the Day of the Dead, the second, and Veteran's Day the eleventh. You are invited to bring things for the altar such as photos of those gone before as well as of veterans. This will be a service of memory and reflection, of honoring those who have gone before us.

 

November 12

Forum:  Veterans' Day: Past, Present and Future.  Facilitated by JoAnn Bienvenu

Service: Stone Soup Sunday, The Reverend Luck.  Stone Soup Sunday is a traditional intergenerational service of UUCJ and many other congregations.  We reflect on the problem of the hunger of our brothers and sisters and their children. We do this not through fasting, but with an empty soup pot in our church kitchen. That empty pot is then filled by the addition of the simple gifts of our community which combine to make a delicious soup for all. This service and the following sharing of soup is a Unitarian Universalist Communion Service.

November 19

Forum:  Hunger Project.  Our guest presenter will give voice to the poor and homeless who are served by the Jackson-based Stewpot Community Services. 

Service:  Giving Thanks, The Reverend Luck.  Gratitude is probably the most important of all spiritual practices. Hospitality is its sister which we practice as we sit a table shared by others. Some of us will be far away from those we would gather on Thanksgiving Day around our table, but we can prepare a place for them as in the Jewish tradition of reserving a chair for Elijah.

 

November 26

Forum:  Beloved Community. "How did you spend your Thanksgiving holiday?" We will gather together on this morning to share reflection and conversation about the time we were able to devote to our families and our friends this past week.  Bring pastries or treats and we'll brew Fair Trade coffees and teas.

Service:  Dance Like There's Nobody Watching.  Marianne Hill, speaker. "Dance like nobody's watching; Love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening. Live like it's heaven on earth." ~Mark Twain~

Deadline for submissions to the December UUCJ NUUSletter: November 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

 

November is a Time for Remembering

I have a new sculpture on my desk. I bought it for ten dollars off a sale table a couple of weeks ago. It intrigued me. Brown, round like a large nut and carved from one piece of wood.  Carved in Indonesia by the hands of one I will never know. A man huddled, his back curved with his face buried in his hands -only the top of his head and the great curve of his strong back show above his hands and crossed legs. A ball of grief, not numb, not in denial- I think it takes the greatest of courage to grieve so deeply.

This year, this November, feels like such a ball to me; there is so much to be grieved and to be horrified by throughout this world of ours. It is overwhelming. Overwhelming to the point we as a people, as a nation, a state, and as a city are not dealing well with it; I know I am not... denial is everywhere.

We are a country at war, and yet the majority of us carry on our everyday lives as if nothing is different. This is the month of Veteran's Day, and I am aware that I have not mentioned our men and women fighting in our name until now. I will not continue in denial. I'm not sure what will change. I am not going to speak from the pulpit concerning the war because I have no special or new insight to share. Yet, I mourn the lives lost, the lives destroyed, the lives changed forever. With a minister's and a mother's heart, I celebrate those who survive, while I pray mightily for each of their lives and for all those lives deeply affected by war and disaster. Let us remember them.

This is the month of All Souls Day and the Day of the Dead, times for remembering those gone before. These are days for holding memories and relationships, for celebrating and honoring those lives that have preceded ours. We celebrate those on whose shoulders we stand, and those they stood on, and those before them. Some sacrificed much for what they left us.... such as freedom of faith. In this heretical faith tradition of ours we have much because of those who preceded us, those who dared to choose, for their passionate integrity and inquiring minds. November is a time for remembering those who have gone before us.

November is the month of our national day of giving thanks, Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving and feasting jars my soul at times when such intense pain is being experienced over all this world including in our city, but Thanksgiving is about more than one good day. It, too, is about those who preceded us and gifted us; it is about survival in incredibly difficult times, courage and willingness to accept the difficult, to create change, and thanksgiving is about gratitude in the midst of difficulty. Such gratitude gathers us around tables, sharing what we have, lighting candles. We are thankful for each person in our lives, for our freedoms, and for what is good, true, and holy.  November is a time for remembering what we are thankful for in the midst of all that life can be. Let us remember.              

Jacqueline  

The President’s Corner

By Waverly Liles

 

It seems to me that things went a bit hectic there for awhile with the attempted property purchase, the rummage sale, and the usual Unitarian-Universalist conferences and functions around the state and the district.  There was one function that went far above the usual - the centennial celebration for Our Home Church.  That was one fine moment for every UU in this state and certainly a wonderful milestone, nicely celebrated, for the congregation there.

Although we missed the goal of purchasing the property at 4860 North State Street, we made a proud effort.   Some good things did come of that effort.  For example, I believe that we are a stronger team than before, and we now have a building fund with pledges to make that grow significantly.  Be happy.  You all did well.  The unsung committee, Long Range Planning Committee, deserves notice.   That is a great bunch of folks (that is Mississippi talk, “bunch of folks”) on that committee.  

The rummage sale went quite well.  While not a record breaker, we can say that it was successful.  Thanks to everyone who donated things, donated time and help of every kind.  Thanks to those who shopped and there were also some who just donated.  There were a lot of people involved.  You were all great!!

Now we get to slack off for awhile, yes?  Yeah, right!!

Children’s RE News

By Trina Cameron and Dary Shenefelt

 

The month of October was busy with a variety of activities.  We began with continued study of our universe.  On October 8, Brian Heffner assisted the children in making scarecrows by reusing fallen leaves.  Brian's artistic talents were certainly evident.  He showed us how to use spray paint to make a face and add detail with masking tape.  Quite impressive!

Both October 15 and 22 were spent discussing UNICEF and making decorations and posters for our annual Halloween party.  Dary Shenefelt showed the children 3 videos.  Two related to the goals and accomplishments of UNICEF.  The other film told the story of a child who would not be able to continue her education because she was a girl.  An intergenerational party was held on October 27 complete with games, talent show, mummy wrap, ghost stories and costume contest.  Our concentration on UNICEF ended October 29 with a special collection at the beginning of the service.  The children's goal this year was $400.  

In the month of November our traditional "Stone Soup" service will be held.  It is scheduled for Sunday, October 12.  This is usually pot luck Sunday.  We are asking that everyone bring chopped vegetables to add to vegan, chicken or beef bases.  Sandwiches and light foods are also welcome.  The children will be decorating cookies as their contribution.  Also, in November we will be preparing for an intergenerational Christmas service to be held on the 10th.  More details on this special service to be announced later.

A special note to all the middle school kids...we have not forgotten about our field trip to the planetarium.  November is a particularly busy month.  Let's aim for early December.

Volunteer on the Gulf Coast November 27 through December 2

Six members of the West Shore Unitarian Universalist Congregation from Ludington, MI, will drive to Biloxi/Gulfport the weekend of the 25th and are stopping to visit UUCJ, December 2-3, on their return. The Reverend Harrington will share the pulpit Sunday with Rev. Luck.  Rev Luck hopes to join them for some of that time on the Coast and imagine some of you would also. Or, consider offering home hospitality for one or two Saturday evening. Contact Rev. Luck for further information.

Congregational Town Hall Meeting

There will be a congregational town hall meeting after lunch on Stone Soup Sunday, November 12th, to review the draft of the congregation/ minister covenant and offer suggestions. 

Speaking of Stone Soup Sunday, WE WILL NOT HAVE A REGULAR POTLUCK on that day, November 12th.  Please bring chopped vegetables to add to broth which will be in the kitchen.  We usually have vegan, chicken and beef broths from which to choose.  Sandwiches and other light foods are welcome.  The children will be decorating cookies as their contribution to the lunch gathering.

Minister's Schedule

The minister will take two days off to be with some of her family over Thanksgiving.

She will drive to Birmingham the 28th and 29th of November to represent UUCJ and MS UU's by attending her first Board of Trustees meeting with the Alabama Planned Parenthood, which sponsors Planned Parenthood in Hattiesburg and in Gulfport. Southeast UU Minister's Association's (SEUUMA) retreat and study is November 13 - 16th.

Roots Classes

Roots Classes (New to UU) will be offered by the minister to friends and members of UUCJ, and especially to those considering membership in the congregation. The classes will be 1:30 -3:00 Sunday afternoons on October 29, November 5, 12, and 19. A new member ritual will follow the classes for those who desire to join or have joined since the last such ritual. This class is highly recommended before signing the Membership Book. This congregation requires a preliminary signing of the Stepping Stones book six weeks before joining UUCJ, so you may want to do that now. Natalie Maynor or Joe Clayton can help you.

First Friday

Join us for UUCJ's second family oriented evening, which possibly will continue to be referred to as First Friday (of each month), Friday, December 1, six to eight p.m. The kids agree; adults can come without younger chaperons, but you might bring a neighbor child and parent, a grand child… the possibilities are endless! This is hoped to be a small group ministry developed in support of UUCJ's families and children. It would help planning immensely if you would RSVP to Stacy Callender, Jacqueline Luck or the UUCJ.