Unitarian Universalist Church of Jackson

NUUSLETTER

 A Newsletter for our Members and Friends

December 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

 

December 3

Forum:  Facilitated by Fran Leber

Service:  The Gift by Rev. Catherine Harrington. The Bible teaches us that it is “more blessed to give than receive.” But, the truth is that it is actually easier to give than receive. Sometimes we find it even difficult to receive a compliment! Through stories, I will demonstrate that to receive a gift graciously is one of the loveliest forms of giving.

 

December 10

Forum:   "Deck the Halls!"  Come join in making holiday decorations

Service:  An Intergenerational Holiday Service.  Potluck lunch will follow.

 

December 17

Forum:  Solstice, presented by Stacy Callender

Service:  A Festival of Light and Dedication.  Join us as we consider the influence of our Jewish roots and how they inform us in this season.  We will have a New Member Ceremony during the service. Your presence and witness to this ceremony so vital to our Beloved Community is desired.

 

December 24

Forum: "H-a-p-p-y B-i-r-t-h-d-a-y-!"  Smiling faces and lip smacking good cake will greet those who gather for fellowship and reflection on cherished relationships and precious memories. Facilitated by Brian Heffner 

Service:  A Unitarian and Universalist Christmas Service

December 24, 5:00:  Intergenerational Candle Lighting Service.  This service is a lovely Unitarian Universalist Tradition of music, story and invoking the holy in hope, love and joy. Arrive early and share light refreshments before the service.  

 

December 31

Forum: Pancake Breakfast. Come early and come hungry for the feast!  We’ll be making hotcakes as fast as we can.  Remember, BYOS: Bring Your  Own  Syrup...and ham, bacon, etc. if you like, 'cause we're only cooking stacks of pancakes this busy morning.  Steve Bollinger and Brian Heffner will tend the event.

Service: Kwaanza, presented by Wendy Shenefelt. Facilitated by Tom Head.

 

Deadline for submissions to the January UUCJ NUUSletter: December 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

 

Let me not miss this opportunity to wish everyone a joyful and wonder filled holiday season! I hope there is some time for contemplation of seasonal acts that are truly meaningful for you. That other busyness we could release so that the truths of these days, which oddly are not consumerism and perfectionism, might find room in our hearts and lives.

May there be “room in the inn” of our lives for births of awe, radical love and great hope even in the cold of a winter night!

The UU Church of Jackson and its minister now have a covenant of right relationship, which is posted below. It is a result of much thought by the congregation and minister in a Fall workshop with Mid-South District Executive, Eunice Benton. The covenant was written from the notes made at that workshop, and was the subject of a last “looking over” and discussion after the Stone Soup Lunch.

It is good that there is clarity about how the congregation and minister will be in right relationship with one another. Please read carefully, keeping in mind the “we” is you and me! I appreciate all the effort and thought that have gone into this covenant.     

Jacqueline  

 

 

Congregational and Ministerial Covenant of Right Relationship

 Unitarian Universalist Church of Jackson and the Reverend Jacqueline Luck

2006-2007

 

We agree to uphold the high ideals of the Unitarian Universalists Principles and Purposes to which we have covenanted as congregations and individuals.

We agree to mutual effort, respect and appreciation of each other as we work collaboratively toward the common good of this congregation and its ministry.  

We agree to grow together in love and spirit toward the development of our whole selves within this beloved community.

We agree to direct and open communication talking with rather than about each other in the spirit of love and trust.

We agree to seek and value the opinions and knowledge of each other concerning the effective administration of this church and its polity.

We agree to, and will uphold, the importance of both acceptance and boundaries within healthy congregational relationships, as well as between this minister and this congregation.

We agree to the importance of a free and responsible pulpit, as well as a free and responsible congregation.

The President’s Corner

By Waverly Liles

 

Children’s RE News

By Trina Cameron and Dary Shenefelt

 

Well, another month has flown by and another is upon us.  Let's wrap up some loose ends before we move on.  October ended with our annual UNICEF party. An admission fee was charged with all donations going to support the work of UNICEF.  We are thrilled to report that through donations at the party, collecting door to door while trick-or-treating and through home baked cookie sales done by Elena and her friend Georgie, in all, we raised $440!  Thank you to all of you who donated to make our efforts a success. This exceeds the goal of $400 set by the children.

Also, on Sunday, November 12, the annual Stone Soup service was held.  This service involved a reading of the Stone Soup story and a brief presentation about Stewpot, the local soup kitchen supported by our congregation.  A special collection was taken and a total of $229 was given to support Stewpot's programs.  Following the service, we shared a simple meal to which all had contributed.  The children made sandwiches and decorated cookies. The adults brought vegetables to share which were added to the delicious broths made by our very own Brian Heffner.  We are certain Brian could have a second or third career with all his many talents. Thank you, Brian, for your generosity.

Coming up, we will be hosting the intergenerational service scheduled for December 10.  The children are already busy working on preparations for that day.  We have invited many of our musically gifted members and friends to join us in a Christmas celebration.  They will be sharing with us their gifts and talents.  This service will be followed by our monthly pot luck. Bring your family and a dish to share and enjoy this time together.

In January, we will continue our study of creation stories and various theories regarding the beginning of our Universe.  There will be no children's religious education classes on December 24 or December 31.  We look forward to a new year with you and your family!

Congregational Meeting

There will be a congregational meeting after potluck on December 10th for the purpose of deciding whether and how to participate in the sponsoring of ads for Mississippi UUs on MPB  in 2007.  This is a business meeting, and we need you there for a quorum and for your input.  Be there! Speak! Vote!

Don’t miss the UUCJ Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, December 31

Pianist Needed

UUCJ is seeking a pianist for at least two Sundays a month for $30 a Sunday. Please contact Waverly or any Board member, or the minister about any possibilities.

Hospitality Ministry Committee Members Needed

UUCJ is in need of a hospitality ministry committee to plan events at the church to bring joy and hospitality. Cookie baking could be involved, but also planning of social events and help with district events UUCJ hosts.  Please let Jacqueline or Waverly know if you'd be interested in volunteering ASAP.

First Friday

Join us for UUCJ's second family oriented evening, 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! It would help planning if you would RSVP to Stacy Callender, Jacqueline Luck or the UUCJ telephone: 601-982-5919.

UUCJ Candle Lighting Service, Christmas Eve at 5:00

Bring the kids and out of town visitors, yourself and a friend!  And, if you arrive thirty minutes early, there will be nibbles and punch before the service for a time of socializing.

Undocumented cash contributions not tax deductible in 2007

A "tax guide for churches and religious organizations" recently received from the Internal Revenue Service includes the following statement:  “A donor cannot claim a tax deduction for any contribution of cash, a check or other monetary gift made on or after January 1, 2007, unless the donor maintains a record of the contribution in the form of either a bank record (such as a cancelled check) or a written communication from the charity (such as a receipt or letter) showing the name of the charity, the date of the contribution, and the amount of the contribution.”   ~Ray Shenefelt

 

Church Work Day

The fifth Saturday, Dec 30 will be a work day so gather your gumption and come toll a while at the Church, from a wide selection of tasks.  You might ask Steve, Brian, or Dary for some task suggestions!