Welcome to CUF Links online - October 2007
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Internet readers can print this document for future reference by clicking Print in the menu under File in your browser. A few print copies will be available at the Fellowship. We hope you find this satisfactory. Previous issues of "CUF Links" are available at the CUF Links Archive. Yolan Presley |
(clicking on a title will take you to the article)
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SUNDAY SERVICES are held in the Fellowship Hall at 10:30 AM. October 7 Ken Starbuck: “The Plight of Mental Illness” On this first Sunday of Mental Illness Month, Ken Starbuck will talk about Mental Illness as it affects our own personal journey and relationships in the family and larger community. Ken was a psychotherapist and Director of the Adult Outpatient Program for many years at Franklin-Williamson Mental Health Human Services Inc. Some of the material he will present is a response to interaction with the Open Minds Group on July 1, 2007. A number of vignettes will be used to illustrate mental health issues. October 14 Bill Sasso: “Association Sunday” Our Fellowship is one of more than a thousand Unitarian Universalist congregations that are members of the Unitarian Universalist Association – an association not of individuals, like you and me, but of congregations. What does this membership in this unique religious movement mean to us as individuals and as a religious community? At the request of the UUA, a we’ll include a second collection as part of this service, encouraging contributions to help fund the growth of Unitarian Universalism. October 21 Bill Sasso: “20th Century Liberal Theologies: Feminist Theology” Continuing our exploration of the central themes of the 20th centuries great liberal theologies, we’ll review the major insights and implications of Feminist Theology, which arose in parallel with the Feminist movement in the 1970s and continues actively today. Join Bill as he guides us through the streams and currents of this powerful and influential theological movement! October 28 Chris Moe: “To Be Announced” Fellowship member – and SIUC Professor Emeritus of Theater – Christian Moe is organizing a special dramatic presentation in place of our standard Sunday service. We don’t have all the details, but we know that this will be a Sunday you won’t want to miss! And coming up . . . November 4 Marinus Van Kuilenburg: “The Rise of Fundamentalism” |
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OPEN
MINDS meets in the Fellowship Commons
each Sunday at 8:45 AM. October 7,"End of Life Choices: Death With Dignity." Cheryl Robinson attended the G.A. in Portland and returned with very valuable insights and information of a new Oregon law which offers Hospice clients aid in dying options. Legal and medical professionals participated in the presentation. Discussion and Q&A will follow her presentation. An Open Minds Coordinator will facilitate the discussion. October 14,"Heartland Bioneers Conference. " For the fourth year in a row, the nationally acclaimed Bioneers Conference is coming to Carbondale on October 19-21. Bioneers is dedicated to cultivating a movement of movements to restore our natural environment and empower human communities. They have distilled their approach to the Three C's: Communicate, Connect, Catalyze. Jerry Molumby will coordinate the discussion following a DVD viewing of Conference previews. October 21, "Sands of Time" Victor DeGraff will show the DVD of his work in an encore performance. Victor, a renowned artist, uses several hundred shades and hues of sand in creating his art. He has traveled the world seeking new and old varieties. He will display several finished compositions in his presentation. Discussion and Q&A will follow his presentation. October 28,"Sisters in Distress: Cairo and New Orleans” Bob Swenson, School of Architecture, SIUC will detail how his students have worked rehabilitating homes in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans and in urban planning for the 2020 Project in Cairo, IL. He will discuss commonalities and differences of the two projects. Discussion and Q&A will follow his presentation. |
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“Who You Gonna Call?” Sometimes things go badly in our lives. Sometimes we need some concrete form of assistance, like a ride or some food or some medical advice. Sometimes, what we need is a bit less tangible: some companionship, someone to listen, or a trusted shoulder to cry on. At those times, when something has gone badly, we don’t necessarily need advice. We need to open ourselves to our feelings, and often it’s helpful to have a listener, rather than an advisor, there with us. When you need someone to listen, who do you call? Perhaps you have a family member you’re especially close to, or a trusted friend. Whether you do have someone like this in your life or not, please know that I am willing to listen, and talk with you about your sorrows as well as your joys. While I do not possess any magical or mystical powers to transform a sorrow into a joy, I can and I will promise to hold your feelings and experience with deep respect and privacy, and to stand with you in a time that may challenge you. I can sometimes offer advice and assistance, but I will only do so when you specifically request it. My first goal is to hear you, and to try to understand what is going on, and what it means to you. I know that I sometimes must appear rather busy. I am pretty busy, but if you wish to talk to me, I will gladly make time for a conversation at the Fellowship, at your house, or over lunch or coffee. So please don’t hesitate to ask – you will probably do me a favor by inviting me to slow down so that we can talk! For me, these conversations are a part of my ministry that can only come from you, a special gift that you create, even when the conversation may seem to be a difficult one. Please remember, too, that when I am out of town, several of our Fellowship’s Pastoral Friends are “on call” for you. You can always locate them in the order of service or weekly Bulletin as part of the information in the “Minister’s Whereabouts” item. When I am gone, for either professional or personal reasons, I rest more easily knowing that these people are ready to support you if you need them. I hope that you do, too! What is a “Pastoral Friend?” The Pastoral Friends program complements, rather than replaces, the support offered by me as minister. This is a ministry of “being” rather than “doing” by offering caring companionship to those who face the crises and challenges of life. They are warm, caring people who listen well and respect the boundaries of privacy appropriately. They are honest, authentic persons who continue to grow through their own experiences of life. The Pastoral Friends meet with me regularly, and we often invite guest presenters to help us develop our ability to support Fellowship members appropriately as they face different forms of life’s challenges. Our current Pastoral Friends are Matt Denis, Lois Hayward, Cheryl Robinson, Ken Starbuck, assisted upon occasion by those who have recently retired as “active service” Pastoral Friends: Tami Frank, Anne Hammett, Beverly Howie, Kris Juul, and Roy Sumner. Others who have served as Pastoral Friends include Jan Eisenhard, Carla Feldhamer, and Anne Sharpe. I am deeply grateful to these members for their willingness to stand with us as we experience times of crisis and challenge. I hope that you will take the opportunity to call on me – and in my absence, on them – should you encounter such a time! Yours in caring, Bill S. |
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FROM THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION DIRECTOR “Let’s talk about something greener!” I was with a friend and her sons, and one of them decided that the conversation was too negative, and dark in tone, so he said let’s talk about something greener. What a lovely way to turn the focus of interaction toward a positive flow. It has less to do with changing the actual topic, but more to do with how the discussion or interaction is taking place. Such a seemingly simple request and the result can be that ambience and attitude change, and the comfort level and camaraderie increase. I like positive. I’d like to share the following about our Religious Education program, keeping in mind a “greener” consciousness. I have certainly witnessed a big, and welcome, difference in the participation and sense of ownership by parents and other adults, in support of our RE program. And I’m a little at a loss to explain exactly what has accounted for this increased involvement. No one thing immediately jumps to mind, so I’m assuming it’s a combination of many factors that has brought us this far. We have more teachers to share the teaching load, and that makes a wonderful difference in their experiences. I’ve had others approach me, and though unable to commit to anything beyond helping occasionally, that too makes a huge difference cumulatively. Last year we tossed around the expression, “Many Hands Make for Light Work,” and this year it can be visually seen. So, I want to make sure ALL of you know that any time you’re able to give RE some of your time, we can find something worth while for you to get involved in. See if the nursery needs a hand, if one of the classrooms could use another pair of eyes for that day, or if they need someone to read a story or help with an activity. We need more RE committee members, so you can volunteer for that, or I’ll ask you (really, I’ll be asking you!). You can help walk with the kids during their Trick or Treat for UNICEF on Oct. 28, or help bake bread on November 17, or help in some way with the Holiday Plays. There is plenty to do besides teaching, so talk to me or Kathy O’Laughlin, or Matt Sronkoski (the current RE committee) if you have an interest. You might even have that special something we’re unaware of that you can share. And let’s try to always be “greener” in whatever goals we are trying to accomplish. Sincerely, Roy
Sumner, Director of Religious
Education |
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Last December, during a Congregational meeting, a member asked if the Fellowship was in financial trouble. It was difficult to answer, because we were not in debt, had reserves, had not had to reduce staff and had resources to satisfy our basic maintenance needs. However, the previous year had ended with a deficit. Also, the most recent canvass had fallen short of expectations resulting in no raises for professional staff and delaying the hiring of an office administrator. On the positive side, we had an anonymous donor come forward with $100,000 to help pay down the mortgage. This became the Challenge Campaign that offered many of the newer members an opportunity to participate in contributing to the ‘building’ by paying down the mortgage. Also, we hired Larry Wheeler, a UUA consultant, to assist us in developing a successful Challenge Campaign and revitalize our canvass process. As we start this fiscal year, I can confidently answer the question. The Fellowship is in very good financial shape. We had a successful Stewardship Drive, formerly called the Canvass, and a successful Challenge Campaign. The congregation passed a budget that included its top priorities, hiring an office administrator and setting aside money for long term maintenance. The FY 08 budget also provided raises to staff to meet the UUA Fair Compensation Guidelines. The only negative aspect was that the reductions in budget that committees volunteered were not restored. There were more positive developments after the budget was passed in May. First, the income for FY 07 exceeded expenses by $4000, reversing the trend of deficits the previous two years. Second, we secured an interest rate of 6.12% for refinancing our mortgage. This was 1.13% below the next lowest bid. Third, we were able to reduce the principal to $154,868 from $287,000, thanks to the Challenge Campaign. The net result is that, after closing costs, we have reduced the mortgage line item by $3500 for this year. We are a Fellowship experiencing abundance. Larry Wheeler advised us that we must think and act from a framework of abundance to experience it. This Fellowship has many members who are very generous. They are generous with their time. They are generous with their talents. They are generous with their money. And, they are committed to putting their values to work. The abundance of all these qualities is what makes the Carbondale Unitarian Fellowship a Breakthrough Congregation! As I am assembling the Annual Report for FY 07, I am struck by the amount and diversity of activities that are carried on in the Fellowship. These activities provide meaning not only to those involved, but also to others in the Fellowship, in the local community, in the region and around the world. Put the Annual Report on your ‘must read’ list for this fall. It will be ready in the next couple of weeks. In abundance, Jerry Molumby |
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The
Business of the Fellowship (Through
June 30, 2007) This column is intended to inform members of the Carbondale Unitarian Fellowship of the business of the Fellowship. Membership Board of
Trustees Committees Annual
Congregational Meeting on 5/20/07 Please contact me, or any board member, if you have any questions or concerns. |
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By Vennie Anderson,RN, MSEd PROPRIOCEPTION: THE “6TH SENSE” All of us are familiar with the five senses: hearing, sight, touch, taste, and smell. However, researchers and exercise physiologists now often refer to a “sixth sense”, proprioception. One definition of proprioception is “the sense of the relative position of neighboring parts of the body.” Another source calls it “the process by which the body can vary muscle contraction in immediate response to incoming information by utilizing stretch receptors in the muscles.” A simpler way of understanding proprioception is to think of it as the key process in balance. Many injuries, including those to highly trained athletes, are related to loss of balance resulting in sprains, strains, or falls with or without broken bones. The good news is that balance, like our other senses, can be honed or improved with training. Many athletes use specific equipment and devices to improve their balance skills. However, you can “train” your proprioceptive skills, i.e. improve your balance, with a few simple exercises. If you are weak or already have problems with balance, practice these exercises standing facing the back of a chair high enough so you can place your fingertips or hands on the chair back to steady yourself. You should be wearing sturdy, flat shoes when you do these exercises. Begin by standing straight with your feet three to five inches apart and your knees in the “soft”, or relaxed position. Take a few deep, slow breaths to relax and steady yourself. With both feet still on the floor, shift all your weight to your right foot. Slowly raise your left foot about three inches from the floor and balance on your right foot while you slowly count to 10. (If you can’t stand as long as a 10-count, stay on your right foot as long as you can.) Put your left foot back down and repeat the process standing on your left foot and raising your right foot. Repeat five times on each foot. Try to do this exercise several times a day and gradually increase the time you stand on each foot working up to three minutes. (Yes, you can!) To vary the exercise, after you are able to balance on one foot for a 30 second count, try moving the elevated foot around, rotating your ankle clockwise, then counterclockwise. It’s harder to maintain your balance on one foot when the other foot is moving, but as you work on it, the ability to do so will improve. Another variation of the exercise is to add light hand weights (from 1 to 8 pounds). Hold a weight in each hand. Stand on one foot and do “biceps curls” (hold the weight at your side with your fist facing out and flex and extend your elbow, lifting the weight toward your shoulders.) You can begin this variation just flexing your elbows without holding any weights and add light weights as your balance improves. You don’t need fancy hand weights. Cans of soup, bottles of water, or other similar items will work just fine. These simple exercises will eventually result in noticeable improvement in your balance, possibly saving you from a nasty fall at some point in the future. |
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Social
Action Update: Interfaith
Fast Day for Peace, Monday, October 8, 2007 www.shalomctr.org Another
Call for Peace: October
Social Action Calendar: Coming to Next Month’s CUF LINKS-a report on the 9/30 Social Action Fall meeting. |
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Evening ofMusic and Art for a Cause Concert Pianist,
Wilfred Delphin, Professor Emeritus Silent auction
of AFRICAN and LOCAL Art Saturday,
October 20 Minimum suggested donation $10 at the door All proceeds benefit the Ranchhod Hospice and Orphan Care Center programs dedicated to helping those affected by the AIDS epidemic in Kabwe, Zambia. You may call 618-201-4947 for further details. |
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New for Fall BUILDING YOUR OWN THEOLOGY is a Unitarian Universalist adult curriculum focusing on five major questions: Who am I? How do I know? Who or what is in charge? What is my purpose in life? and What does my death mean? These five big questions form the framework of the course; at each meeting, we will deal with one of these questions. We will meet Wednesday evenings, 7:30 to 9, from November 7th to December 19th (skipping Nov. 21st, Thanksgiving Eve). Registration is required; each session requires advance preparation. To register, or for more info, contact Bill S. (529-2439 or bsasso@juno.com). PRINCIPLE
BY PRINCIPLE: Did you know that our seven Unitarian
Universalist principles are "up for review?" The UUA's
Commission on Appraisal is undertaking a study about the current set of
principles, which date from the mid-1980s, to determine how well they
serve our movement and our world today. If you'd like to explore how
each of these principles touches your own life and the experience
of our UU community, please join Bill Sasso for a series of seven Wednesday
evenings, September 5th through October 17th. Each week we'll
look at one of the principles in some detail, and we'll share our conclusions
with the Commission. For more information, contact Bill (529-2439 or bsasso@juno.com). "THE STATUS AND IDENTITY OF OUR CHILDREN IN THE FELLOWSHIP": Bill Sasso,Roy Sumner, and other congregational leaders invite you to a fireside chat to talk informally about this important aspect of our Fellowship. We'll host this "chat" by the fireplace on Thursday evening, October 4th, at 7:30 pm. For more information, contact Bill (529-2439 or bsasso@juno.com). Ongoing THE
DREAM WORKSHOP.
This group meets the first Sunday of each month in 06 (RE wing)
at 12:00ish. October 10. to be announced HUMANIST
ROUND TABLE. This group meets on the fourth
Wednesday of each month in the Fellowship Commons at 2:00 PM PSI SYMPOSIUM.
This group meets the
second Sunday of the Month in Room 06 at Noon ROUNDTABLE
READERS. This
group meets once a month in Room 04 after the Sunday Service at Noon SCIENCE
IN SOCIETY. This group meets
the some Fridays of the Month in the Fellowship Commons at 4:30 PM. TIBETAN
BUDDHISM STUDY GROUP This
group meets every Sunday in the Fellowship Commons at 7:00 PM. VIDEO CIRCLE.
This group meets every 1st and 3rd Friday in the
Fellowship Commons at 7:15 PM YOGA
FOR ZAMBIA. This group meets on the third
Sunday in the Fellowship Commons from 12:30 to 2:00 PM |
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CLEAN-UP DAY -- Saturday, October 6 is the date selected for sprucing up our CUF property. Outdoors, there's weeding, edging, mulching, etc. to be done. Inside, we'll be dealing with some spackling and painting, minor repairs, bulb and battery replacement, etc. Plus, there's that perennial, all-time favorite -- window washing, both inside and out. In case of rain, the outdoor work will be postponed a week or two, but the interior work will proceed regardless. Mark your calendar now. On 10/6, come at 9:00 a.m. in working togs, and stay as long as you can. Tools and supplies will be provided. "SOIL
& SOUL: Global Warming & Scriptural Perspective" The
next Ralph Anderson Interfaith Dialogue will focus on one of the most
important issues of our day. An interfaith discussion on
"Soil and Soul: Global Warming & Scriptural Perspective"
will be held at the First Methodist Church (214 W. Main) in Carbondale
on Monday, October 15 at 7:30 PM. Dr. Dale
Bengtson will frame the issue from the viewpoint of the Koran, Torah,
and Christian Scriptures. Responders will be Imam Haqq, Revital
Yona, and the Rev. Roger Karban. The dialogues are sponsored by the
Carbondale MISSING SEWING MACHINE Approximately 2 weeks ago a sewing machine was left in one of the coat rooms. It belongs to Debby Carnopys-White and had been used for sewing nightgowns for Zambia. Debbie and Carla looked all over for the machine today but were not able to find it. If you have any knowledge of where it might have been put please contact Carla at 201-4947 or Melanie in the church office. Thanks for your help. AN INVITATION TO HELP: Carbondale’s First Christian Church invites us to join them in delivering “Meals on Wheels” the second week of each month. Each day of that week, two drivers and two additional helpers are needed. Drivers supply their own cars and gasoline, picking up prepared lunches at the Carbondale Senior Center and delivering them throughout Carbondale. This generally takes about an hour each day, and one may volunteer by day or by the week. To volunteer, or for more info, please contact Martha Ellert of First Christian at 529-1563 or msellert@aol.com. WHERE TO STORE IT? If you need to store project materials at the Fellowship, please remember that almost all of our spaces are used for multiple purposes. Before storing anything in the classrooms, please confer with Roy Sumner, Director of Religious Education (687-3118). In terms storage in the Fellowship Office, please contact our new office staff person, Melanie Bray (529-2439). Thanks for your cooperation! HOLIDAY HOME TOUR The Stage Company will open the 2007 Holiday Season with tours of eleven distinctive homes of different styles in old and new neighborhoods. On Sunday there will be special stops at Carbondale’s historic Hickory Lodge and the elegant Stone Center on the Southern Illinois University campus.These fabulous homes in our community will open their doors to showcase original art, unique indoor and outdoor sculpture, and extensive holiday collections. The homes will provide an abundance of creative ideas for holiday decorating. Our own UU Recorder Group will play (in costume) at Hickory Lodge. Tickets for viewing homes on the self-guided tours will be sold separately for each day. Tickets will be pre-sold only through October 31. You may reserve tickets by calling The Stage Company at 549-5466 or by e-mail to: gsfrew1991@yahoo.com. |
| Are you searching for a new place to visit? How about a trip that combines your interests in exotic places with your interest in social justice. The UUSC Service Committee and Equal Exchange are sponsoring a trip to Guatemala to visit a fair trade faming community. January 12-20...Nov. 2 is last day to sign up. 800-388-3920 or justjourneys@uusc.org | Parking Coordinators: Volunteer(s) needed to put up "More Parking at Parrish School" signs for Sunday mornings and other Fellowship events. Call Bill Sasso 529-2439 or bsasso@juno.com) for more info! Thanks! |
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Yard Sale Not Until June: I know how exciting it is to clean out one's house and divest yourself of unwanted treasures. However: Please do not drop thing off at the fellowship until next June of 2008. There have been several yard sale items left in the front entrance and there is no place to store them at the Fellowship. So hold onto your goodies for now. Thanks, Carla Feldhamer |
Event Planners: Volunteers needed to help plan and organize the January, 2008 Carbondale community celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Next planning meeting is scheduled for September 20th. Contact Bill Sasso 529-2439 or bsasso@juno.com) for more info! Thanks! |
| Photo Historian Needed: The Fellowship is in need of someone to compile, organize and generate photos of ongoing activities. Interested? talk to Yo Presley: yo(at)astrosleuth.com | Editor vacancy: as you may be able to tell by this issue, CUF Links is still in need of a monthly editor. Language and computer skills are necessary! Talk to Yo Presley yo(at)astrosleuth.com |
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If you would like to run a CUF Classified, you must submit it by the CUF Links deadline. Ads are automatically cancelled at the end of the month unless you notify the editor. |
Readers of this online newsletter may notice the absence of some personal information. We are following the UUA Guidelines for Church Electronic Newsletters. You may read the guidelines at http://www.uua.org/CONG/newsonline.html
CUF Links Editor: Vacant Web Editor: Yolan Presley Deadline for the November issue of CUF Links will be midnight October 25th.
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