Unitarian Universalist Church of Jackson

NUUSLETTER

 A Newsletter for our Members and Friends

July 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

 

July 1

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: Soap Box Sunday The Reverend Jacqueline Luck

Everyone has three minutes to get up on the soapbox and let their voice be heard on the topic of their choice.

R.E. My American Flag! Rebecca Burr

 

July 8

Forum Speaking of Faith Brian Heffner

The radio telecast of this program begins at 9 a.m. Arrive early to begin hearing the day’s presentation or listen in your car as you travel to the church. The telecast ends at 10 a.m. -- and we’ll have half anhour to respond amongst ourselves. The interviewer, Krista Tippett, draws her guests near to us with a very ‘listen-able skill’. Join us.

Service Why I am a Unitarian-Universalist

As a member of this congregation for some time, Rene is known by all. Today however, Rene Rosenfelt has offered to share her life’s experiences that shaped her faith and informed her attitude to living a meaningful life. Brian Heffner will coordinate.

R.E. Seeds & Weeds Waverly Liles

 

July 15

Forum Speaking of Faith Brian Heffner

In years gone by, UUCJ suspended forums during the summer months. For the passed two summers, we have employed this wonderful public radio program as ‘summer content’ in hopes to cultivate growth of community and enrichment of relationships through the insight filled conversations inspired by these interviews. Join us.

Service Why I am a Unitarian-Universalist

As recent joiners of our congregation, Jody and Paul Gore have made many friends and added their energy to our gatherings. Today, they have the opportunity to share as individuals and as a couple -- some of their past, their present, and thoughts of future. Brian Heffner will coordinate.

R.E. Elections Fran Leber

 

July 22

Forum Speaking of Faith Brian Heffner

Service Why I am a Unitarian-Universalist

Todd Allen became a member of our church just weeks ago. Our choir benefits from his willing talent, and today we will come to know more of him as he gives voice to his journey of faith. Brian Heffner will coordinate.

R.E. Pottery II Paul & Jody Gore

 

July 29

Forum Speaking of Faith Brian Heffner

Service Why I am a Unitarian-Universalist

Felicia Bell became a member of our church just weeks ago. She and her two sons have been a part of our ‘group’ for quite some time. Today we gather to become more familiar with one of the ‘new additions" to our family. Brian Heffner will coordinate.

R.E. Topic TBA Trina Cameron

 

Deadline for submissions to the August UUCJ NUUSletter: July 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

 

Last Sunday, in celebration of our sharing these three years of Mississippi ministry, we had "a special pot luck" after the service, which was indeed special! We all owe much appreciation to those who worked to make it such a wonderful occasion; thank you!

I was given a chalice necklace to mark the occasion by the congregation. The chalice clasps a "wheel" etched with symbols of the world’s religions. I have enjoyed wearing it as I am glad for the opportunity to speak of the sources of wisdom and inspiration for Unitarian Universalists. The necklace represents for me our personal freedom of discernment, as well as the religious freedom that is a founding principle of our nation. I wear it with joy.

There was some money in the card and a note encouraging me to get something to remind me of Mississippi for my Tennessee home. Saturday I visited the new Mississippi Craft Museum and bought a beautiful large wooden vase to put on the mantle of the stone fireplace in my house in Kingsport. It was beautifully crafted in Clinton, Mississippi. Thank you.

There was a bit of grace involved in our celebration last Sunday also, as the choir from The Church of the River in Memphis was not able to come for an earlier date to sing for the Jackson congregation, therefore they added their voices in celebration of that that is good, true and holy. We were blessed.

And so, it is that I go. You remain the UU Church in Jackson and prepare for future ministry with other ministers. Congregations can expect new insights, different gifts and other styles of ministry from those ministers yet to come. You gather what you will from each as you become the church you want to be.

Several Sundays ago I spoke of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s lines of poetry and her image of a wine tasting of the grapes from which it was made. Ministries are like wine with each minister and each church member adding who he or she is increasing the body and the flavor of the wine as it matures.

Please know that I have loved you and: "What I do and what I dream include thee, as the wine must taste of its own grapes."

Yours in loving faith,

Jacqueline

The President’s Corner

June was a busy month for our congregation. The congregational meeting on June 3 resulted in spending authority for expenses that may be incurred by our Ministerial Search Committee. 

June 9 our congregation hosted a Mid-South District cluster meeting where Mississippi UU church leaders learned effective ways to program worship services for an entire year. 

June 17 we celebrated Father’s Day with breakfast and held a Town Hall Meeting after the worship service to thoroughly consider our Mission Statement—or more importantly, a statement that embodies our mission and vision for this church of the liberal spirit in this city, in this state, in this time in history. 

June 24 we celebrated the ministry of Jacqueline Luck with a visit from the choir of Church of the River and a farewell potluck luncheon. S.O.U.U.P. study considered Building Your Own Theology every Wednesday night in June. 

These are the activities of a congregation on the move into a bold future where we live our principles, celebrate our liberal spirit, and commit ourselves to seeking social justice, not just within our church, but within the larger community. I hope you will join the journey

Gwen Combs

 

A Word From Brian

 

With this being the first month in which I have been charged to fill the entire content for the forums and the pulpit, you can see that my name appears very often.

Early in my UU experiences I was told of the value of thinking through how I would convey to a family member (or that certain acquaintance) ‘just why I go to church there.

I came to understand how I could describe this decision: it was called an ‘elevator speech’—the one or two minute long, concise yet impassioned, well-thought-through yet spontaneous opportunity to put ‘my face’ on liberal religion.

I hope that this month of July will demonstrate that our willing members and their yet to be polished ‘concise yet impassioned—well-thought- through yet spontaneous’ presentations will inspire others among us to let us get to know them.

We are each capable of being lay leaders.

We are each full of potential to put ‘our face’ on liberal religion.

Brian Heffner

 

The Church of the River

On July first, UUCJ was blessed by the beautiful voices of the choir from The Church of the River in Memphis, Tennessee. Our sincere thanks go to everyone in the choir who traveled and sang for us. Perhaps one day, we can reciprocate!

Announcements

 

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

 

First Friday Fun Night We will not meet in July due to the Independence Day Holiday, but you can look forward to UUCJ’s August 4th Zoo trip! Contact Stacy Callender.

July 11, 18, 25

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

July 27

4th Friday Film Night "The War Tapes" (97 min) follows three National Guardsmen, Specialist Michael Moriarty, Sgt. Steven Pink and Sgt. Zack Bazzi as they chronicle their day-to-day lives in the Iraq war with miniDV cameras strapped to their Hummers and helmets. The story, as told through the eyes of the soldiers, transcends mere social commentary and digs deep into the horror and empathy every soldier faces. 7-9 p.m. Contact Stacy Callender