Unitarian Universalist Church of Jackson

NUUSLETTER

 A Newsletter for our Members and Friends

June 2009 - Web Edition

Our mission as a church of faith and reason is to promote justice, welcome diversity and serve with love

We resolve
to be a religious community, welcoming diversity and respecting human beings and our environment;
to be a church of faith and reason, nurturing the life journeys of those who join their strength to ours;
to be a progressive fellowship, promoting justice, and cultivating religious freedom;
to be a caring neighbor, invigorating the greater Jackson community while renewing ourselves from within.

  President's Corner

 

It is always a pleasure to travel and attend other UU churches. This past month I was able to represent our Jackson church in Provincetown, Massachusetts, where we have a very successful UU congregation (http://www.uumh.org/)—about the size of Jackson, but because they are a tourist area, they have many, many visitors. With only 68 members, there were over 100 in church. So they do well by catering to the tourists who grace their doors. Living in Mississippi where legislators quickly move to pass discriminatory laws against gay, lesbian, bi, transgender, and questioning folks, I was refreshed by the P-town UU message that celebrated the fifth anniversary of Massachusetts supporting and affirming gay marriage.

During May, I attended the Mid-South District Annual Assembly and had a chance to meet old and new friends within our district. It is always good to attend these regional events—not only for the good learning experience, but for the camaraderie among friends. I would encourage all to attend these events and extend our church welcome to other congregations.

By the time this newsletter goes out, I will be attending the President’s Convocation at Camp McDowell in Jasper, Alabama. There I will spread the good news of the Jackson church and meet new and returning presidents from all over our district. This is a good networking time and will give me some good contacts for future counsel and advice.

I happily report that our church is doing well and your new Board has anxiously attended to the duties of their positions. I am pleased to be working with such a fine Board and anticipate a fine year ahead. With summer approaching, let us know where you have traveled and what you have done. Our mission and vision extend well beyond our doors. Be sure to take on the shield of “Good Will Ambassador” as you travel this summer.

Jim

From The Desk of the DRE

 

Religious Education / Religious Exploration

We have childcare and supervised activities each Sunday from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Children are welcome to join us anytime before 11 a.m.  

 

Note:  see below for details on how our Young UU’s are helping the Christopher and  Dana Reeve Foundation

 

As another RE School Year comes to a close, we want to reflect on all of our wonderful experiences. We held intergenerational services celebrating the Blending of the Waters, Stone Soup, Winter Solstice, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birth, Spring Equinox, and the Easter Flower Communion. Our youth and older children explored social justice issues of hunger, homelessness, animal care, racial justice, disabilities, and environmental justice. We made donations to CARA, the Salvation Army, and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. We conducted roadside cleanups and repaired the church compost pile. Our youth also attended the MSD youth Beach CON in Florida.

 

We also want to thank all of our volunteers who shared their time and talents with our children and youth over the past year! Our thanks go out to: Dary Shenefelt, Diana Barnes, Susan Knipe, Judy Williams, Amy Griggs, Liz Acosta-Pearson, Tom & Lisa Kersen, Elise Morse-Gagne, Brian Heffner, Ranjan Batra, Jody Gore, Waverly Liles, Maureen McGuire, and David Voisin! We are so grateful for all that you have done!

 

Summer Religious Exploration

This month we begin our new fun summer program: Around the World in 80 Days! All of our children and youth will explore a variety of cultures through story, song, food, and games. We will also explore the diverse religious heritages represented there and any UU connections we find. So be sure to be there as we “travel” to Brazil, Canada, China, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Japan, Australia, Germany, Egypt, and the Netherlands!

Adult Religious Exploration

Our adults will continue their Religious Explorations this month with Fourth Friday Film Night and UU 102. Come add your perspective to these engaging and challenging conversations!

• 4th Friday Film Night: The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil (53 min). This vibrant, hopeful film brings to light how a small island nation responded to a sudden and dangerous drop in oil supplies. When the Soviet Union collapsed Cuba’s hefty subsidies of oil, food and other goods ceased while the U.S. tightened its embargo. In a ‘peak oil’ crisis similar to one the entire world will soon face, electric power became intermittent, transportation nearly stopped, parts were unavailable, and food production declined to precarious levels without fertilizers and tractors. But Cuba bounced back. This film offers us a living model of sustainability, as Cubans tell the remarkable story of their nation’s transition to organic agriculture, renewable energy, effective mass transit, lowered consumption, better health, and stronger communities. Friday, June 26th 7:00-9:00 pm. Discussion to follow film.

• UU 102: Join us for the third of a 7-part series covering the UU principles. We will explore the 3rd principle: We affirm and promote acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations. Held during Forum Sunday, June 28th 9:30-10:30 am

 

We Need you!!!!!

WE NEED YOU: We need extra hands to help with the R.E. Summer Program— Around the World in 80 Days! Please lend your time and talent to serve with love! We are also seeking ideas for Adult RE classes for the Fall. Is there a topic you want to explore? Do you have a talent to share? Let us know of any classes or workshops you would be interested in or willing to lead.

R.E. COMMITTEE meeting [5/31 – 12:30 pm]: We’ll review the summer schedule & plan the 2009-10 school year. Anyone interested may attend meetings. The RE Committee needs a Co-Chair interested in future leadership in RE.

For more info contact Stacy Callender, DRE at vp-re@uujackson.org

 

 

News from the Mid-South District 

Eunice Milton Benton, District Executive

Lyn Conley, UUA Trustee

 

ELECTING OUR NEW UUA TRUSTEE

 

While I'm hoping to see many of you at General Assembly this year at this very important gathering when the next UU President will be determined, I am happy to share the following good news! The Lay Theological Education Taskforce, the team created to distribute funds raised by Association Sunday for lay theological education, has approved a grant that will enable UU University to be professionally videotaped, turned into DVDs, and made available to everyone at a very reasonable cost beginning this fall. (Orders will be taken at GA). More details to come. In faith, Lyn

Mid-South District - UUA

On the web at www.msduua.org 

Eamil: msduuoffice@aol.com 

 

Milestones

 

Happy birthday to our members with June birthdays. For privacy reasons, we have omitted names on the web version of the NUUS. Fran Cox is updating our birthday list. Tell her -- she’ll add the name(s) to the new list!

 

Member Profile - Joe Clayton

 

For many of us newcomers member Joe Clayton’s long connection with UUCJ is not readily apparent. He and his wife Mary have been members for more than 33 years, though Mary no longer joins us for most of our activities and Joe’s participation, while frequent, is fairly low key. But across those many years Joe has served not only as a trustee but also as president for 4 years and treasurer for more years than he can remember. Mary worked many years in the RE program and served as membership chairman for several years. Now retired, Joe and Mary have enjoyed traveling to Europe, Asia, and Africa, and are looking forward to a fall trip to Australia and New Zealand.

Joe’s story began in Williamston, NC, in 1938, where he grew up with older brothers Bob and Daryl. He enjoyed band and football and was an Eagle Scout who participated in a memorable scouting trip to New Mexico in 1954. Joe was active in the Methodist Church in those years. He attended Duke University where he received both BS and Master of Forestry degrees.

An early appointment with the Forest Service was promptly interrupted: Uncle Sam drafted him even as the country was getting more involved in the Vietnam War. He served in the Intelligence Corps at the Pentagon while he finished his 3 year obligation. Life in DC in those years was a delight that left Joe with some happy memories.

Joe re-started his career in the Forest Service with an assignment to the George Washington National Forest in Staunton, VA. That was where Joe met Mary, who was teaching at the Virginia School for the Deaf. They married in 1969. Soon thereafter they moved to Michigan where he took MSU post graduate courses in resource economics and she taught a special education class.

A year later Joe was transferred to the Forest Service’s regional office in Atlanta, GA. During his tour there they began their family with the birth of twin daughters Kathryn and Beth. At this time they also joined Atlanta’s huge UU Congregation led then by the renowned Rev. Gene Pickett. 

Joe’s next move was In 1974 when he moved to Homer, LA, where he was district ranger on the Caney Ranger District of the Kisatchi National Forest. Son Yancey was born in Homer in 1975. In 1976 Joe transferred to Jackson’s Forest Supervisors’ office for the national forests in Mississippi. He worked there until he retired in 1999.

Within a month of moving to Clinton, the Claytons found Jackson’s UU congregation. They promptly joined. It was lay led then, as it has been for many of the years they have been members. Joe reports today that UUCJ is “as good or better than it has ever been since we’ve been a part of it!” Thank you Joe and Mary for all your contributions toward helping make that true.

 

 

Stewardship Within Our UUCJ Community

 

Our new Board of Trustees again welcomes your suggestions on what we can do to improve our ministry to our own members and the friends who join us. Share your ideas with them so their plans will take your wishes into consideration.

Today’s Social Ministry

We continue to collect donations of underwear and soap for our Juvenile Prison Ministry and nonperishable food for Stew Pot. These are accumulated over the month and taken to their respective agencies each third Sunday.

We also participate in the “Planting Peace” project in Jackson. They report:

After much consideration, the Planting Peace workdays scheduled for May and June have been cancelled. Alternate work days are planned for September. Look for the announcement of work dates in late July or early August. By the time we resume landscaping, all of the houses in the cul-de-sac should be completed, so we will have our work cut out for us! Keep up the interest so we can finish strong! Contact Jill Barnes Buckley if you have any questions: jill@northminsterbaptist.org

Our modest efforts do make a difference within this community!

 

Tech Bits

Are you a Facebook participant? We are now also identifying a UUCJ contingent on it. Natalie and I are in that new group and look forward to everyone else who uses this form of communication to add their name to that list.

Also, Have you taken time yet to read April’s message from UUCJ’s webmaster, Liz Steere? I’m repeating it one last time to emphasize that you need to sign up for the one or both of the lists if you want to send and receive messages from (and to) other members in our group. As I pointed out last month we will be discontinuing “News Flashes” to the newsletter list in the near future and only those who’ve signed up for the announcement list will receive subsequent news items.

Liz reminded us that we can sign up for our:

UUCJ Announcement List – which is our communication tool for keeping participants informed about church business and items of direct interest to our community. Messages must obtain the approval of a list moderator. This step insures that the mail you get is on topic and modest in volume. You can expect to receive up to five emails a week if you join

UUCJ Discussion List – which provides a forum for open discussion among UUCJ members and friends. Any issues you wish to discuss or make people aware of can be presented here as long as it complies with our Mission Statement, Behavioral Agreement, and UU Principles. This list is also moderated to be sure that conversations don’t become overheated.

Both of our email lists are private; only list members can see the messages and membership requires approval to ensure that only UUCJ members and friends actually join.

There are three ways to sign up for our lists:

1. Via e-mail [1] – send a subscribe request to the list. You will receive a confirmation email back with instructions for joining. Use this method if you do not care to have access to the yahoo group, but just want to receive emails to the list. Send your email to:

uujackson-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to join the Announcement List

discussUUjackson-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to join the Discussion List

2. Via e-mail [2] – ask our moderator to help you by adding you directly if you need assistance. Send your request, including your full name and your association with the church, in an e-mail message to:

uujackson-owner@yahoogroups.com to join the Announcement List

discussUUjackson-owner@yahoogroups.com to join the Discussion List

3. Via Yahoo – apply via our Yahoo group site. Use this method if you want to have access to the yahoo site. You will be asked to create a yahoo id if you do not already have one. Visit the following addresses:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/uujackson/ to join the Announcement List

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/discussUUJackson/ to join the Discussion List

 

Once you have completed the application process, you will receive a confirmation email that will explain how you can send email to the lists.

If you need assistance at any time with the list, please send an email to the “owner” address listed above and one of our moderators will assist you as quickly as possible.

 

Individually Speaking

From Margaret Drake on her coming visit: I expect to arrive in Birmingham on the 17th of June, stay about 5 days, then rent a car and drive to Jackson and also stay about 7 days. Margaret

From the Editor

Last month I asked you if you’d be interested in being included on our hard-copy contact list that can be provided to members who want to be able to contact others in our group. While many of you hit your reply button to alert me to your wishes – some replying “yes” and some replying “no,” many of you were silent on this issue. If you still haven’t replied please consider doing that now by hitting your reply button and alerting us to your wishes. If your answer is “yes”, please specify which details you want to share (address, phone number[s], and/or e-address). Recipients of this newsletter from the postal service may reply by calling me at Judy (her number is in your printed NUUS) . We will be contacting all those who have not replied by July 1. Friends who would also like to be included on  the list should reply just as the members are being asked to do. Thanks for the help. Judy

Groups, Meetings, and Announcements

UUA’s General Assembly 2009 on June 24-28, in Salt Lake City, Utah, will address the issues our denomination faces today and elect a new President of the UUA. Find more information at http://www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/registrationhousing/registration/index.shtml.

The Southland Unitarian Universalist Experience will take place at The Mountain, a beautiful and holy place that is our own camp and conference center, located just outside of Highlands, North Carolina. From this July 19th to 24th.. Space is limited to the first 40 registrants. The cost is $750, if paid in full by Monday, June 8. After June 8, the fee is $800 (must be paid in full by July 1 to retain your slot). Final registration deadline is July 1. The fee includes program, lodging in the Lodge or nearby cabins, meals and materials. Housing is at least double occupancy though private rooms may be available for a surcharge.Linens and towels are provided. Each living space is heated and includes a bathroom. There are no phones or TVs but phones are available on the campus, and incoming messages are delivered to guests by Mountain staff. Sorry, no pets allowed except for assistant animals.

Join the Lunch Bunch while Margaret Drake is in Jackson. We will probably have lunch that day at the new Auditorium Restaurant in Fondren. A large group will require advance reservations so let Natalie, Fran, or Judy know if you’d like to join us in late June for lunch with Margaret.

“Stop and Shop” this month in our kitchen for fresh coffee, nuts, and dried fruits. Though sometimes a little more expensive than their supermarket counterparts these fine products from free trade farmers will delight your senses. Your purchases directly support the hard working farmers who produce them.

Some of us toured the garden of “Dr. Dirt” a couple of years ago and were enchanted by the experience. We have scheduled a return visit for Saturday, June 13 at 3:00 p.m. “It’s a little cooler at that time of day,” reports our host. The tour will take about an hour or so, depending on how many questions we ask along the way.

If you’re new to the area you may not familiar with this nearby celebrity, who lives and gardens in Edward, MS. His web site http://www.dirtsgarden.com will give you a glimpse of his one-hundred year old garden that he will proudly tell you is literally on the wrong side of the tracks! You can also learn more about him and his special garden at American Profile’s website http://www.americanprofile.com/heroes/article/4646.html. 

Purchasing one of the plants Dr. Dirt has for sale or making a small donation of about $5 for everyone 13 years old and older (donors end up with a plant anyway when they do this!) helps this retiree keep his garden going strong.

Everyone who meets us just south of I-20 at exit 19 (Edwards) at the parking lot of the first gas station on the right, by 2:45 pm can follow caravan style to the garden. It would be nice to get a reasonably accurate head count of how many will be taking the tour so let me know if you think you may attend. It will be fun, especially for the youngsters in your family. And see the note about protective clothing where the trip is listed in the Events Section listed below.

Upcoming Events

 

Saturday, June 6: The Power of Intention Circle will be facilitated by Lelon Thompson from 10:00 am to 11:00 (cost $5/person). The Spiritual Support Group will then follow from 11:00 to noon (cost $5/person).

Sunday, June 7: [No RE Committee meeting For the month of June]

Monday, June 8: Early bird registration Deadline [fee $750] for the Southland UU Leadership Experience. Space is limited and they are filling up!

Saturday, June 13, 3:00 pm: Dr. Dirt’s Garden Tour in Edwards, MS: A perfect outing for the entire family. To reduce the possibility of bug bites wear long sleeves and long pant legs. This is a lush, organic area that is full of plants and animal life. “Off” wouldn’t be a bad idea, either!

Sunday, June 14 at 12:30 pm: Board Of Trustees Meeting following our church service. UUCJ’s Board meetings are open to all.

Saturday, June 20: The Power of Intention Circle will be facilitated by Lelon Thompson from 10:00 am to 11:00 (cost $5/person). The Intuitive Development will then follow from 11:00 to noon (cost $5/person).

Sunday, June 21, 11:00 am: Collection Day for our Prison Ministries Program and for non-perishable food items for Stew Pot.

Sunday, June 21, Third Sunday Potluck Lunch immediately following the worship service. Bring a dish to share as we break bread together!

Friday, June 26, 7:00-9:00 pm: 4th Friday Film Night: The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil (53 min). Following the loss of the former Soviet Union’s hefty oil and food subsidies that resulted in power outages, transportation limitations and reduced food production, Cuba today has become a living model of sustainability, featuring organic agriculture, renewable energy, effective mass transit, lowered consumption, better health, and stronger communities. A discussion will follow the film.

Sunday, June 28, 12:30 pm: Communications Committee meeting after the church service.

Wednesday, July 1: Final registration Deadline [fee $800] for the Southland UU Leadership Experience if space is still available.

***** New deadline for NUUS submissions -- Now due on the 15th ****

Deadline for submissions to the Julyl UUCJ NUUSletter: June 15. Please send your submissions to NUUSletter@uujackson.org.