Unitarian Universalist Church of Jackson

NUUSLETTER

 A Newsletter for our Members and Friends

June 2007 - 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

 

June 3

Forum Jester’s Hat Steve Bollinger

This opportunity to jot topics of interest on ballot-sized bits of paper and randomly draw them from Steve’s “hat” will once again provide insight into the thinking and opinions of all who gather to participate.

 

Service What a Difference a UU Church Can Make in Jackson The Reverend Jacqueline Luck

This service will be about the minister’s hopes and dreams for this beloved congregation.

 

R.E. To Be Announced Elise & Rick Morse-Gagné

 

June 10

Forum “Dream Imagery in a Time of Crisis” The Reverend Jacqueline Luck

Video presentation (29 min) followed by discussion.

 

Service Guest Sermon The Reverend Terre Balof

This will be a guest minister sermon following the workshop Saturday for the Mississippi cluster congregations at UUCJ. Reverend Balof serves the Athens, Georgia congregation.

 

R.E. Film – “Ryan’s Well” Stacy Callender

 

June 17

Forum Let’s Cook Breakfast for Dad! Facilitators) needed

Pancakes, omelets, sizzly bacon and sausages... What’s your “Pop’s” favorite special breakfast treat. This morning is about expressing love and appreciation through the ministry of serving--bring prepared items and be prepared to cook some things in the spirit of community. Make your intentions known beforehand and aid us in coordinating a well-rounded menu. Contact Brian Heffner

 

Service This Was Our Ministy! The Reverend Jacqueline Luck

This will be a service to review our ministry together these last three years. Others from the congregation will join me in remembering past events.

 

R.E. Pottery I Paul & Jody Gore

 

June 24

Forum We Can Talk The Reverend Jacqueline Luck

We will watch a DVD on UU Breakthrough Congregations and discuss possibilities for UUCJ to breakthrough to the next level of congregational development.

 

Service The Choir of the Church of the River

A special worship service: Members of the Choir from The Church of the River in Memphis will sing and present images of their trip to Transylvania. This will be a worship service of music and images, an opportunity to know more about our Universalist origins in Europe.

 

R.E. Pottery II Paul & Jody Gore

 

Potluck Please stay after this Sunday’s service for a special “farewell” potluck lunch in honor of Rev. Luck. Next week’s service will be her last with UUCJ. We’ll all miss her!

 

 

Deadline for submissions to the July UUCJ NUUSletter: June 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

 

Since the last newsletter, as you of the congregation know, I have accepted a call from the Holston Valley UU Congregation in Gray , Tennessee , in the Tri-Cities area. There is great sadness in leaving this congregation in Jackson , which I love. You have taken me into your trust, and allowed me to walk with you as you have grown in vitality, membership and institutional health. You have been good sports in going along with this minister and some of her new ideas and visions of the possibilities for your congregation and its future. You even let me paint the sanctuary YELLOW to make it appear more welcoming! And, speaking of paint, has anyone noticed how spiffy the strip mall across the street looks? Maybe UUCJ’s paved parking lot and lights inspired someone? Things are definitely looking better at 4866 N. State! The sanctuary chairs are being recovered, and a new street sign is being made! All of which makes it difficult to leave as you are on the brink of much that is exciting.

I am saddened with leaving all of the people I have been privileged to share this Mississippi ministry with including those of Our Home, and those of the social justice community I’ve worked with, and the clergy in Jackson . I appreciate those who allowed me to put a public face and voice to progressive religion in Mississippi .

To my regret, my announcement resulted in a decision that UUCJ would not pursue buying the property adjacent to theirs at this time. I do not think the decision was an error; I am glad the congregation is focusing on its future, and its need for professional ministry. District Executive, Eunice Benton, has met with the congregation encouraging all to stay flexible in planning for future ministry at UUCJ and in Mississippi .

Physical limitations of the church will need to be addressed in the near future. Membership is about 64, and I hear it said no more than 54 people should be seated. Obviously UUCJ will be seating more or turning people away at the door! More than likely some are not coming Sundays, as they are uncomfortable with such closeness and intimacy already. It is so wonderful when all are at services, though, I’d encourage you to be there for each other in coming months to help hold the vision.

Rather amazing to me is that this congregation has not been setting goals and really working to provide for its future. I hope UUCJ never allows itself to grow complacent again. Its presence is of vital importance to Jackson and to Mississippi ! A congregation affiliated with the UUA is charged by its very existence to plan for its future. I know it has been difficult to raise funds, but people will gladly give when inspired with hope for the future and when participating in a vital religious community where their needs are met. Professional leadership can help with this.

I hope that this congregation continues to contribute to the building fund through pledges and money given as honorariums. Efforts might be pursued to encourage members to mention UUCJ’s future funding in their wills. Its been suggested that the Board designate what has been called the building fund as a Building for the Future Fund to enable more flexibility for the congregation’s future. What can the congregation do to not forget the fund? Maybe the Building for the Future fund could be placed into the annual budget as a line item!

I wish I could have been of more help with all of the above before deciding I had to leave. July 1 will be my last Sunday service in Jackson . I will offer my services to the congregation’s pastoral needs until I move which will be soon after the first. We have much to celebrate at this time and much to grieve. I do, as you well know, preach God as infinite possibility, and I recognize that none of us knows the future, but it is very possible that we may not meet again. I will separate from my connections to my Mississippi ministries, as I turn my attentions to those in Holston Valley . You will always, however, remain in my heart.

With love, JL

The President’s Corner

Energy flows throughout the congregation! There is much to do and many folks are about the business of the church.

The Board met on May 11, 2007, to transact the business of the church. Brian Hefner, Vice-President for Programs, held a planning meeting on May 12, 2007, to discuss programming for the summer and beyond. Our Mid-South District Executive, Eunice Benton, met early Sunday morning, May 13, 2007, with the Ministerial Search Committee to provide information about possibilities for professional ministry in our church when Jacqueline’s time with us ends. Eunice also met with members of the congregation at the Second Sunday Pot-Luck to share information about availability of professional ministry to our church and our state. All of that happened during three days!

Waverly Liles, D.E. Magee, and Fran Leber agreed to serve as the Ministerial Search Committee to bring information to the Board and the congregation about possibilities for professional ministry. Ray Shenefelt will serve as ex officio Board member to that Committee. They met Monday, May 7, 2007, to organize and begin to gather information about the search process. Their first act was to invite Eunice to come share her information and expertise with the congregation. They managed to get her to Jackson within five days!

The RE program is busy planning summer programming for our children and preparing for next year’s RE curriculum. Trina Cameron, Vice-President for RE, reports a wonderful turn-out for their recent planning meeting. I hope you will offer to spend some time in the RE program this year.

Steve Bollinger, Vice-President for Buildings and Grounds, reports progress on several projects: the gutters are up, the new sign is in the design phase, and new and refurbished chairs are in the works (you may have noticed the boxes at church on Mother’s Day).

We prepare for Jacqueline’s departure. She will be with us through June and early July. During this time, we celebrate her ministry to UUCJ and to the larger community, we wish her prosperity and growth in her new congregation, and we look forward with faith and courage to the next phase of our congregation’s journey.

There is much to do and many opportunities to serve our beloved community. Let us join our energies and our gifts as we journey forward.

Gwen Combs

 

Announcements

 

June 3

Special Offering to be received for the Interfaith Habitat Peace House. We hope to match the $1,000 received last year.

June 16

The US Campaign for Burma recognizes the 62nd birthday of Nobel Prize recipient, and democratically elected leader of Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi on June 15, 16 and 17. She has been under house arrest for 11 of the past 17 years by the military junta.

Rebecca Burr is placing herself under house arrest for 24 hours on Saturday June 16, and invites you to join her on that day from 5 - 8 p.m. for food and drink, and the screening of a new documentary on Aung San Suu Kyi and the crisis the people of Burma face each day. The event is a fundraiser, one of 300 around the world.

Known to many as Asia’s “Nelson Mandela,” Aung San Suu Kyi leads the struggle for human rights and democracy under the rule of one of the world’s most brutal military regimes. The military junta has been condemned by the United Nations, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and other groups for its human rights abuses.

Aung San Suu Kyi has called on people around the world to join the struggle for freedom in Burma, saying, “Please use your liberty to promote ours.” For details, call Rebecca Burr. Come for the party, the information, the film, and then decide if you would support the cause.

June 22

Fourth Friday Film Night “The Education of Shelby Knox” (76 min) follows a Texas teen during her transformation from conservative high school student to liberal activist for comprehensive sex education, to the surprise of her church, family, and community. 7 p.m.-until. Contact Stacy Callender.

June 30

Fifth Saturday Workday Come join fellow members of the congregation to give our church the love it needs. Come any time and stay as long as you can. Contact Brian Heffner.

 

Fair Trade Chocoate Bars, Coffee, Tea & Cocoa are available in the kitchen. Please leave your payment in the envelopes provided.

Detention Center Donations of men’s undergarments are being collected.

Groups and Meetings

 

June 1

First Friday Fun Night Join us in making a bead mosaic to beautify the church. All are welcome. Contact Stacy Callender.

June 3

Congregational Meeting after the service to decide the budget amounts for the ministerial search, and NPR and Clarion-Ledger advertising.

June 6, 13, 20, 27

Sharing Our UU Perspective (SOUUP) “Building Your Own Theology” is the new curriculum for Wednesday’s SOUUP meetings, beginning this month. It’s a great time for you to join this small group ministry. 6 - 8 p.m. in Newman Building (RE). All are invited. Contact Rev. Luck.

June 9

Mississippi Strategic Planning Group will meet at UUCJ. Tere Baloff will provide workshops on planning programs for the year. This should be very helpful. All attend. Contact Brian Heffner.

June 17

(Father’s Day) Town Hall Meeting after the service for the last writing of UUCJ’s mission statement. Vote will be at a congregational meeting later.

Jacqueline has made a donation to the “Building for the Future” Fund in honor and gratitude for the four Board of Trustee Presidents who served UUCJ while she was minister: JoAnn Bienvenu, Margaret Drake, Waverly Liles and Gwen Combs.