Unitarian Universalist Church of Jackson

NUUSLETTER

 A Newsletter for our Members and Friends

September 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

The Joan Jebsen Library has been moved to the Newman Religious Education building to create a wonderful reading room where the very nice and comfortable couches and chairs are located. Thanks go to Stacy Callender for the idea and the move.

"Who is Joan Jebsen?" I asked, as I looked at her photograph and the plaque honoring her contributions—not only to the Unitarian Universalist Church in Jackson but to the greater movement of liberal religion.

Asking this question was like asking, "what is that big silver ball up in the night sky?" so great was her contribution to this congregation and to Unitarian Universalism. Joan Jebsen, states the plaque, was the first UU chaplain in the USA. She served the Jackson congregation as chaplain from 1990 to 1997. During that time, she focused on church leadership and developed a Lay Ministry Course that was successfully implemented in the Mid-south district. Joan was a visionary. She foresaw what UUCJ and Unitarian Universalism could be throughout Mississippi.

She wrote the following for a membership ceremony: 

"Becoming a Unitarian Universalist means that you will: work out your own system of ethics and morality; stand firm against ridicule, criticism and condemnation; develop your own religious language; and work with other independent people in a religious community.

"Being a Unitarian Universalist you will be challenged: to stand on your own feet and think for yourself without dogma or fear; to participate in a long tradition of religious liberalism; to probe the meaning of human existence; to share joy, and hope and beauty; and to know many special people."

These words encapsulate the best of our faith. They set forth a bar of excellence to reach for in living this faith.

The library named in her honor needed to be placed in a position that truly honored and respected her contributions and her memory. I am pleased that this respect has been given her with a space that is becoming of her gift to us. May we continue to honor her life by building up our library with books that are compelling and thought provoking to build up our faith and our convictions for a free and liberal religious faith. More importantly may we emulate the faith she demonstrated.

Blessings abound,

Fred

 

  President's Corner

The dog days of summer have descended upon us, along with a ferocious heat wave. However, I don’t see much at UUCJ that would indicate we are taking it easy, or taking the summer off, or otherwise engaging in "lazy days of summer" slow down. Even with members and friends globe trotting here and there, our church has accomplished much during these summer months. Importantly, our Sunday morning services this summer have been devoted to thinking and speaking of our faith and sharing our religious and spiritual journeys. 

Members new and old (and young and old!) have articulated their beliefs, hopes, fears, concerns, joys, sorrows, anger, and commitment about their spiritual lives, their religious lives, and their reasons for joining their strengths with others of our beloved religious community. It is important that we take time once awhile to tell one another about why we are here. I have learned much about what is good and true and Holy about UUCJ. As we return from globe trotting and settle in for the fall and winter, may our energies, our spirits, and our commitment to our church of the liberal spirit be renewed.

Gwen Combs

 

From The Desk of the DRE

We have had such a fun summer! The Religious Education Committee would like to thank all of the volunteers who helped this summer: Elise & Rick Morse-Gagné, Stacy Callender, Paul & Jody Gore, Rebecca Burr, Waverly Liles, Fran Leber, Diana Barnes, & Dary Shenefelt.

We would also like to extend our warmest appreciation to Trina Cameron, outgoing VP of RE, and a very special thank-you to Dary Shenefelt, outgoing DRE who has held our program together for many years! Dary will remain involved with R.E. serving as the lead teacher for the elementary children.

And what an exciting year we have ahead of us! We have a record number of members who have agreed to participate on our teaching teams, including those with and without children! While this is great news, it means that we’ll be making a few changes to the schedule, classes, and special services to help everything run smoothly.

Schedule From Sept. to May, childcare and supervised activities are available each Sunday from 9:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Children are welcome to join us anytime before 11 a.m.

• 9:30-10:30: Supervised play in the Newman R.E. Building or outside in our fenced backyard.

• 10:30-11:00: Snacks and conversation

• 11:00-12:15: Children’s Service and age-appropriate Religious Education classes.

R.E. Classes Preschool (0-5 year olds): We provide a happy, safe, and loving environment for our youngest children. Activities: free play (outside, weather permitting), stories, poems, discussions, arts/crafts, music, & manipulative toys. Teaching Team: David & Susan Voisin, Jody Gore, Mary Margaret Bollinger, Felicia Bell, Waverly Liles, Diana Barnes.

Primary Class (6-10 year olds): Children will learn about a variety of religious traditions and explore being part of a religious community. Curricula: Timeless Themes (Judeo-Christian Heritage), From Long Ago & Many Lands (Hinduism/Buddhism), We Believe (UU Principles). Teaching Team: Dary Shenefelt, Ranjan Batra, & Judy Williams.

Secondary Class (11-18 year olds): Children will explore religious concepts as they learn to apply UU principles. Curricula: Jesus & His Kingdom of Equals (Judeo-Christian Heritage), How Can I Know What to Believe?(Faith Development). Teaching Team: Stacy Callender, Paul Gore, & Rebecca Burr.

Special Services Beginning Sept. 16, our children will join the adult services for a Story for All Ages before their R.E. classes every third Sunday with Rev. Fred Hammond.

We will also participate in several intergenerational services. This fall we will have planned four such services: Water Communion (Blending of the Waters) on Sept. 9, Honoring the Dead on Oct 28, Homecoming on Nov. 18, and evening Candlelight Service on Dec. 23. Children will be included in the entire service, and with their families, participate in the communion aspects of these services.

Please be thinking about ways you can support our R.E. Program (such as: read a Story for All Ages in the service, provide snacks, be a teaching assistant or substitute.

 

Thoughts From Yesteryear at UUCJ

by Rev. Fred L Hammond

We have in our files over 50 years of newsletters. I thought it would be fun to look back and see what our Unitarian parents of UUCJ were thinking about throughout those years. The newsletters in those early days of UUCJ, then known as the First Unitarian Church of Jackson, were one page in length. They were published weekly (Ronni, we won’t do that to you, I promise!). They contained the order of service for the upcoming Sunday, some news items from the church community, and an inspirational thought. I will put this column together for the next several months and then if it is well received, seek to have a volunteer (perhaps with title of Church Historian) read through our newsletter files to select additional tidbits of wisdom or news events from our ancestors. This column could be expanded to include tidbits from the other historical archives that we have on file.

Vestigia

by Bliss Carmen

January 1956

 

I took a day to search for God,

And found him not,

But as I trod by rocky ledge,

Through woods untamed,

Just where one scarlet lily flamed

I saw his footprint in the sod.

Then suddenly, all unaware,

Far off in the deep shadows, where

A solitary hermit thrust

Sang through the holy twilight hush,

I heard his voice upon the air.

And even as I marveled how

God gives us heaven here and now,

In a stir of wind that hardly shook

The poplar leaves beside the brook,

His hand was light upon my brow.

At least with evening as I turned

Homeward, and thought what I had learned

And all that there was still to probe,

I caught the glory of his robe,

Where the last fires of sunset burned.

Back to the world with quickening start

I looked and longed for any part

In making saving beauty be,

And from that kindling ecstasy

I knew God dwelt within my heart.

 

 

Worship Schedule

Every Sunday: Forum at 9:30 a.m., Service at 11 a.m.

Children’s Religious Education Classes (R.E.) 11 a.m. to noon in the R.E. Building

 

September 2

Forum: Speaking of Faith, Brian Heffner

Arrive early (9 a.m.) to begin listening to this hour-long radio program or listen in your car as you travel to church. After the program ends, we’ll open a discussion on the day’s topic. The program’s host, Krista Tippett, brings together interesting people to talk about the larger question of meaning and religion in human life. Join us for a lively discussion

Service: "Finding Hope" Brian Heffner

Brian Heffner has been a member of UUCJ for a bit over six years. Speaking last year, he delivered a "Why I am a UU" message to introduce himself 'more thoroughly' to our congregation. Today's presentation will, through the imagery provided by several wide-ranging and far-flung travel adventures, update y'all (you all) on what's going on in Brian's world.

R.E. 

Primary: Timeless Themes: Welcome/Old Testament, Dary Shenefelt

Secondary: Jesus Kingdom of Equals: Welcome / Gospels, Stacy Callender

 

September 9

Forum: Jazz, Presented by John Autry

Come prepared to listen to inspired music and personal glimpses into living history.  John brings his appreciation of music into our space to expand our appreciation of those who lived the stories told in the art form of tempo, lyric, and inspired musicianship.

Service and R.E.: Blending of the Waters

Everyone is welcome to participate in our intergenerational service where we will share in a water communion. Don’t forget to bring a sample of water from your summer travels (or tap water to symbolically represent it).

 

September 16

Forum: Civil Rights, Harriet Tanzman

Service: Jesus and the American Dream, Rev. Fred L Hammond

First in a series on morality and Human Rights, this sermon is based on the book "The Political Teachings of Jesus," by Tod Lindberg.

R.E. 

Primary: Timeless Themes: Adam & Eve, Dary Shenefelt

Secondary: Jesus Kingdom of Equals: Religion of Jesus, Stacy Callender

 

September 23

Forum: "The Myth of Separation" Experiencing Turkey with the Institute of Interfaith Dialog, Ronni Mott

Service: Worship with our Muslim Neighbors, Sabri Agachan

Dear friends from the Institute for Interfaith Dialog have responded with enthusiasm to share the expression of their faith by coming to our space to demonstrate their sacred worship.

R.E. 

Primary: Timeless Themes: Cain & Abel, Judy Williams 

Secondary: Jesus Kingdom of Equals: John the Baptist, Rebecca Burr

 

September 30

Forum: Trip to Bejing , facilitated by Elizabeth Overman  

Service: Current Issues in China , Elizabeth Overman

R.E. 

Primary: Timeless Themes: Noah, Dary Shenefelt

Secondary: Jesus Kingdom of Equals: Disciples, Stacy Callender

Announcements

 

Fair Trade Chocolate 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.

The Lunch Bunch is going to a local restaurant for food and conversation on Sundays. If you want to join them, meet at the back of the sanctuary after the service.

Groups and Meetings

 

September 7

UU Social for All Ages UUCJ’s "Socialites" will be completing the mosaics they started in June! Bring your family and friends to the Newman R.E. building from 6-8 p.m. for fun, fellowship, and pizza! Contact Stacy Callender for details 662-418-0888.

 

September 16

Third Sunday Pot Luck Lunch bring a dish for after the service. Note that this is a permanent change from the previous schedule of first Sundays.

 

September 23

Congregational Meeting after the service.

 

September 28

4th Friday Film Night "Street Fight" (94 min) captures a bare-knuckle campaign in the streets and projects of Newark, NJ. It’s a wild ride and a great insight into how democracy, power, and race play out in urban American politics. 7-9 p.m. Contact Stacy Callender 662-418-0888.

 

September 5, 12, 19, 26

Sharing Our UU Perspective (SOUUP) "Building Your Own Theology" is the curriculum for Wednesday’s SOUUP meetings. 7 - 9 p.m. in Newman Building (RE). All are invited.

A Word From Your Web Mistress

I know that many of you come to the website for your NUUS updates. You have likely noticed that they have been AWOL for the past few months. Please accept my apologies. I could regale you with the technical issues I have had that have been mostly to blame for my tardiness. But then your eyes would start to glaze up over and you might even click on another page of the internet to escape, and that just wouldn't do. Suffice it to say that new software has been installed and I think I have the monsters at bay. I'll do my best to get you an update within a few days of my receipt of the email version of the NUUS.

In penance for my transgressions, I have posted all back issues, and I have given you a spiffy new layout to look at. With this new layout comes pretty new graphics and pictures that can slow downloads. Please let me know if I have caused you any measurable delays in your download times.

Liz

Deadline for submissions to the October UUCJ NUUSletter: September 18. Please send your submissions to NUUSletter@uujackson.org.