Welcome to CUF Links online - December 2006

(clicking on a title will take you to the article)

SUNDAY SERVICES

SUNDAY SERVICES are held in the Fellowship Hall at 10:30 AM.

December 3     Carla Feldhamer and Cheryl Schmit: “Red Ribbons and Global AIDS”

In recognition of World AIDS Day (December 1st) and our congregation’s active participation in the AIDS/Africa partnership, as well as local AIDS awareness and prevention efforts, we’ll hear some the tales of those who have traveled to Zambia and worked at our partner hospice there. The Fellowship Choir will explore “Distant Lands.” Bill Sasso will coordinate this service. [See the articles “World AIDS Day Commemoration” and “Red Ribbon Congregation” in this newsletter for more information.]

December 10   Andrea Stader and Maria Johnson: “December Blues”

As the days grow shorter and the winter’s chill arrives, our own Andrea Stader and Maria Johnson (of the SIUC School of Music and “Loose Gravel”) will warm us up with their spirited renditions of the “blues” as both musical genre and expressive medium. Bill Sasso will coordinate this service.

December 17   Children’s Holiday Program (intergenerational service)

Our children will ring in the holidays with several plays re-telling stories from the European Yuletide traditions. We’re planning special music to add to the festivities, so don’t miss this Sunday! Bill Sasso will coordinate this service. As an intergenerational service, we will not have “live” announcements, so be sure to get any announcements to Russ Trimble so they can be included in the order of service!

December 24   7 pm      Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols

All are invited to join in this evening service of traditional readings and carols as we re-visit the story of Jesus’ birth! This is also a special time to welcome back our college-age students and young adults. If you know a college student or young adult who might like to participate in this service, please contact Bill Sasso! Light refreshments will follow the service. No live announcements – make sure to get your announcement info to Bill S. for inclusion in the order of service!

Please note: We will not have a service at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 24th (Christmas Eve).

December 31   Cheryl Robinson: “The Burning Bowl” 

The burning bowl ceremony is a spiritual exercise of “letting go” of negativity and focusing on new ways to experience our mental and spiritual lives.  Come and make a conscious effort to “start anew” in the upcoming New Year!

And coming up . . .

January 7, 2007          Bill Sasso: “The Evolution of the Bible”

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OPEN MINDS 

OPEN MINDS meets  in the Fellowship Commons each Sunday at 8:45 AM.

December 3    "Getting to the Roots; Digging for the Truth. " Terry Bowman will teach us a technique that he used as an Air Traffic Controller and University educator. We will implement his technique in a group problem solving activity.

December 10    "Evolution: The Great Transformation."   Some topics: the development of a standard four-limbed body plan, the journey from water to land, the return of marine mammals to the sea, and the emergence of humans. DVD followed by discussion led by Bob Camp.

December 17    "Open Minds Round Table Discussion"  of current issues, group problem solving, unfinished sharing from the Thanksgiving Round Table.

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THE MINISTER'S MESSAGE

Reflections on Membership: “The Promises We Share”

In reflecting on our recent congregational conversation with Larry Wheeler, I recalled a sermon I gave here in December 2001 entitled “The Promises We Share.” I offer these thoughts once again, in the hope that they may help us continue to deepen our understandings of membership in this community.  

In joining this Fellowship, we make promises to each other. In a sense, these promises are like the vows made when two people choose to join their lives in marriage or holy union. For it is never the words of the vows that create a lasting relationship; rather, it is the strength of their commitment to each other that creates that relationship. The words of the vows can never create the commitment; they can only express it! And so it is with becoming a member of this Fellowship.

What are these promises we share? If I asked each of you to write out your sense of what we promise in becoming members, you would probably give me a hundred different versions, but I believe that, as we looked at them and compared them, they would cover much of the same ground, and fit together surprisingly well. So let me offer you my sense of the promises we share, and I invite you to let me know if I left anything important out.

• We promise to show up, and to participate. 

• We promise to invest ourselves and our resources in this community, so that it will be here for others, perhaps long after we are gone.

• We promise to care for and about each other, and to allow others to care for and about us. 

• We promise to accompany each other on the journey of personal development, helping each other become deeper and more truly human. 

• We promise not to leave each other behind, even when we disagree about issues dear to us and it is hard to see the common ground.

• We promise to trust each other enough to speak what is truly in our hearts, even when we know that others may feel differently.

• We promise to hear each other out in love, and to treat each other with respect even when we disagree.

• And, finally, we promise to forgive each other when we fall short of achieving these promises, and to begin anew, continuing to value each other and this Fellowship. These, in my view, are the promises we share.

This Fellowship is different because you are part of it. Your presence changes the community – not totally, but meaningfully. And you may well ask “If my joining the Fellowship changes the Fellowship, doesn’t it change me at all?” I don’t know that joining changes the individual, but I can guarantee you that, over time, participating in this community will change almost anyone. Perhaps some of us would say that we have been—in some Unitarian Universalist sense—“born again” or even “saved.” But this happens over time, gradually, sometimes so gradually that it is almost imperceptible. So I invite you to take a moment, and think about your life, and about the people of this faith community, and about how you are different because of your interactions with them. How would you be different, if you had never encountered this Fellowship or these people? And how might they be different if they had never gotten to know you?

As we enter the bustle and excitement of the coming holidays, I wish you the very best of the greetings of the season, whatever holiday(s) you may celebrate! May 2007 be a year of peace and happiness for you, for those close to you, and for all the peoples of the world!

Happy Holidays, Bill S.

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FROM THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION DIRECTOR

“What does love mean?”  That was the theme of an email I got from a friend recently.  Seems some professionals decided to find out what love means, so of course, to get the truth, they asked some 4 to 8 year olds.  One of the benefits I receive from being involved in religious education is that I constantly stand at the feet of masters . . . our children. The following are children’s descriptions of love, stated purely and with cutting wisdom: 

“When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.  You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.” –Billy, 4.  “Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.”   –Karl, 5.  “Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.” –Terri, 4.  “Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.”  –Bobby, 7. 

“If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate.” (wow) –Nikka, 6.  “Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.”  –Noelle, 7.  “Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.” –Tommy, 6.

“Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.”–Mary Ann, 4.  “I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.” –Lauren, 4.  “You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it.  But if you mean it, you should say it a lot.  People forget.”  –Jessica, 8. 

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a child handy, to talk to, when life sometimes seems so complicated?    Those of us who might not have a child handy, please know that there are those here at the Fellowship that are willing to listen.  That’s one of the things we can do for each other, and I think it’s a nice display of love.  Trust me, we all have struggles, it comes with the gift of being human.

I also realize it takes a great leap of faith to be vulnerable to someone else.  To me, being there for each other is one of those things we promise to do as a member of this Fellowship.  We don’t hold ourselves out as having the answer you might be looking for, but we’ll walk with you as you look for it. 

To all of you who have been, and still are, a source of comfort to me, thank you.  And to our children, thanks for being with us, and sharing your childlike wisdom. 

And to those of our newer members with children, have confidence.  While there are many experts that can be found when questions of a spiritual or religious nature are asked by your child, keep in mind that you don’t need an expert’s answer.  Your child really wants to know what you think.  Don’t be as concerned about finding the “correct” answer, instead, seize the opportunity to share your thoughts, and value the chance to share.  You’d be surprised what you might learn.

Sincerely, Roy Sumner

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

The Carbondale Unitarian Fellowship has achieved a level of success that is uncommon.  That is why we were nominated by our peer congregations in the Central Midwest District and selected by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) as one of four Breakthrough Congregations for 2007.

We have done this by combining the talents, time and resources of its committed members to achieve a common goal.  The need for a new building in the mid-nineties was a catalyst and formed a concrete goal for this Fellowship.  When all of the resources are pulling in the same direction we achieve great things.

But, it was the community we achieved that created the energy to achieve.  We lived democratic principles in our decision making.  Each member had an equal voice and was empowered to speak freely.  We discussed issues in small cottage meetings and at large congregational meetings, until desired outcomes became very clear, often resulting in an affirmative vote of 95% or better

We used the consulting services of the UUA for many steps along the way.   A few members initially thought we could do it ourselves, given this pool of talented people, or couldn’t afford it.  But the congregation decided to use the assistance of the UUA and Larry Wheeler conducted an Assessment Workshop, a process to help us lay out a systematic roadmap for successful growth.  We also used the resources of the Central Midwest District to help us with canvass training and when we were stuck trying to decide between a minister and a building.  We again benefited from the services of the UUA with the Extension Ministry program, matching new ministers to congregations and partially subsidizing the Fellowship as we grew our budget to support a new minister.  We also were awarded a Chalice Lighter’s grant once for a minister, once for the building and most recently supporting the growth of the Mt. Vernon and Cape Girardeau congregations.

We again used Larry Wheeler to assist us with a very successful Capital campaign.  This community pooled its talent and resources and made it happen.  And what a beautiful building it is.  But, it is more than a building.  It is our home. 

What we do with our home is to share the abundance of our community with the larger community.  Let us count the ways–Prison Ministry, AIDS in Africa Partnership, Rainbow Café, Spirit of Christmas, Good Samaritan Ministries, Peace and Justice, Food Pantry, Environmental Concern, Welcoming Congregation, Martin Luther King Sunday.

And there is currently exploration of a Health Ministry for the Fellowship.  It seems the opportunities and resources for service through our community are limitless.

We are now presented with an opportunity that would allow us to continue expanding our service to our community, to the local community and to the larger community.  As with the decision to build a building, we have an opportunity to retire a mortgage which would permit us to hire professional office staff for consistent support for our efforts and allow the office volunteers to serve in projects outside of administration.  

But, there is more.  We have an opportunity to reach out to newer members of the congregation, welcome them more vigorously and invite them to a fuller participation of the community.  It is this last goal that is foremost to the vitality of the Fellowship.  With the assistance of Larry Wheeler, UUA consultant, we will begin to engage members more fully and conduct a successful canvass to further support our growth.

With a little help from our friends. 

Jerry Molumby

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World AIDS Day Commemoration

By Carla Feldhamer

World AIDS Day is the global day of action on HIV and AIDS which takes place every year on December 1.  “Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise” has been the focus of the global AIDS campaign since 2005 and will remain so until 2010.

As Unitarian Universalists we are called to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person.  That calls us to share the burdens of those living with or vulnerable to contracting HIV/AIDS.  HIV and AIDS have already had a devastating impact and have caused a vast amount of human suffering across all social barriers.

This year the UU Global AIDS Coalition, the UUA Advocacy Office, and the UU United Nations Office (UU-UNO) have joined together to encourage all UU congregations to take this one day in the year to focus on the devastation caused by AIDS and our role as UUs in making a difference. [See CUF in the lead article on World AIDS Day at www.uua.org ; click on MORE]

The Carbondale Unitarian Fellowship has been doing ground breaking work in this area for the past three years through our partnership with Ranchhod Hospice and Orphan Care Program in Kabwe, Zambia.  Come to the Sunday worship service on December 3rd and learn how our partnership has made a substantial difference in the life of persons in Kabwe.  Cheryl Schmit and Carla Feldhamer will share with you stories and pictures from their trip to “our Zambian partners” this past May.

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Red Ribbon Congregation

By Carla Feldhamer

In order to recognize congregations who have taken significant steps to become involved in global AIDS issues and to use their example to encourage others to follow suit, the UU Global AIDS Coalition (UUGAC) is offering a process for congregations to be recognized as a “Red Ribbon Congregation.”

A “Red Ribbon Congregation” shall be so designated by the UUGAC after providing evidence of compliance of at least two of the following:

• 1.  An active process for ongoing education about the HIV/AIDS pandemic (Speakers, films, etc. . . )

• 2. An active process for taking actions relevant to ongoing government programs- political advocacy.

• 3.  An active program that is involved with a community or project that is in direct service with affected people in Africa sometimes called partnerships or twinning.

• 4.  An active fundraising project that is in support of HIV/AIDS projects and programs.

The Carbondale Unitarian Fellowship has been actively involved in actions 1, 3, and 4 for the past three years.

There will be a brief congregational meeting directly following the Sunday service on December 3rd to take a Fellowship vote on proceeding with application to become recognized nationally as a Red Ribbon Congregation.

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Financial Report     

By Dave Clarke, Treasurer

Thanks to the generous support of contributors to our annual budget, $57,266 has so far been received of projected income of $183,613, and $51,805 expended relative to budgeted expenses of $184,094.  Income is thus matching quite well expenses, though this situation should change as large bills for building insurance and heating costs come due.  Members can view budget reports each month at www.cuuf.net/members/archives/FY07/Budget.  (Access requires knowing the User Name and Password for the Fellowship archives.  These can be obtained from other members or the Fellowship Office.)  Reports are in both Excel (.xls) format for Excel users and web (.htm) format for everybody else.  Each month there are two reports, one for the operating budget financed by pledges from our annual canvass, a second for Fellowship assets and for funds outside the operating budget such as those for the Zambian AIDS partnership, the New Day Prison Ministries, and the upcoming Women’s Retreat.  There are also hard copies of these reports made available each month in the Fellowship office in the mailbox (far right).  In the FY07 folder there are also monthly Board minutes and reports by the Minister and RE Director.

In anticipation of the upcoming capital campaign next spring to pay down our building mortgage, we have already received $17,500 in building fund payments.  These have been matched with funds provided by a building challenge grant of $100,000 to make a total payment of $35,000 on the mortgage.  It has been reduced from about $382,000 at the beginning of the fiscal year (July 1st) to a present balance of under $343,000.

Stan Aydt and I will be sending out in January year-end financial statements to those contributing to the Fellowship during the current calendar year.  You can help us by making payments to be credited in these statements by December 17th, the third Sunday of the month.  This gives us adequate time to prepare and then mail out the statements.

The Finance Committee will soon begin the process of planning the budget for the FY08 fiscal year that begins July 1, 2007, and ends June 30, 2008.  Committee members include Stan Aydt, Dave Christensen, Kimberly Gregory, Bob Lembcke, Jerry Molumby, Toby Saken, and Natalie Trimble.  We welcome any suggestions and comments that might improve allocation of funds in the budget.  The past couple of years have forced substantial cuts in our operating budget as we struggle to meet rising costs.  The severity of these cuts is beginning to threaten the ability of the Fellowship to carry out its mission.

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Alternative Gift Fair

By Mary Campbell

You are invited to the second annual Alternative Gift Fair on Sunday, December 3, 3:00-6:00 PM at the Carbondale Civic Center. This is a great opportunity to simplify your holidays by purchasing gifts or honoraria from a long list of organizations that are doing a variety of meaningful ministries.

Gifts in honor of someone special—who doesn't need another sweater or tie—can be donated to any of the participating charities. Many of them will be offering certificates to indicate what you purchased to honor your friend or relative. If you cannot attend the Gift Fair, Mary Campbell will have gift certificates for Good Samaritan Ministries available on Sunday mornings at the Fellowship. 

Interfaith Dialogue Focuses on Medical Ethical Dilemmas and Faith Perspectives

The Rev. Tim Madison, Chaplain of the Carbondale Memorial Hospital (PhD in Ethics) will be the featured speaker at the next Ralph Anderson Interfaith Dialogue.  He will address issues of contemporary medical ethics in relation to faith perspectives and ministry. The interfaith conversation will be held at the Carbondale Mosque (530 North Wall Street) on Monday, December 4, at 7:30 PM.  Admission is free and all are welcome.       

The presentations will be followed by a response from representatives of three major world religions.  Marshall Kapp will respond for Judaism; Abdul Haqq for Islam; Father Bob Flannery for Catholic Christianity, the Rev. Kim Magwire for Protestant  Christianity.  The moderator will be Dale Bengtson.  There will be an opportunity for questions and comments from the audience.

These interfaith dialogues are sponsored by the Carbondale Interfaith Council.  For more information contact Ken Starbuck, Ralph Anderson Interfaith Dialogue Chairperson, at starbuck@midamer.net or 942-3986.   

Social Action Opportunity

By Carla Feldhamer

The position of Chairperson of the Social Action Committee is a vitally important job in the Carbondale Unitarian Fellowship.  Social Action is how we as Unitarian Universalists live out and practice our Seven Principles locally, nationally, and globally. The committee is full of gifted and committed individuals involved in prison work, food bank, Women’s Center, Martin Luther King Sunday, AIDS in Africa project, Easter basket program, Christmas gifts for the needy, Good Samaritan Ministries, peace issues, environmental concerns, just to name some of the programs.  Former chairpersons of this committee have been Lillian Adams, Amy Weber, and Carla Feldhamer.   We are searching for someone to take leadership of this committee, which would involve maybe two general social action meetings a year, overseeing the social action budget, checking the social action mailbox, and keeping your eyes open for other worthy projects.  The time commitment is minimal, but we need a leader to pull it all together.  PLEASE STEP UP TO THIS GOLDEN OPPORTUNTY!

Let Jerry Molumby know if you are interested.   Don’t wait for someone else to snatch this immensely rewarding opportunity away from you!  

We Give Thanks

A special photo gallery of our annual Thanksgiving Intergenerational Service has been added to our web site. Click HERE to view.

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EVENTS AND MEETINGS

RENAISSANCE POTLUCK

By Judy Aydt

On Friday, December 8, at 6:30 PM, our Intergenerational Potluck travels back to the Renaissance for Music!  Dance!  And joyous Feasting!  Babes, Tots, Lads, Lasses, Ladies and Gentlemen of all ages, Come one, Come all!  Bring your own libations and victuals to share!

GANGAJI VIDEO SATSANG.  This group meets on the third Wednesday of each month in Room 06 at 7 PM.

December 13, You are invited to a join us as we listen to American teacher and author, Gangaji, as she responds to spiritual questions wiith compassion, clarity, and humor.  Meetings begin at 7 PM with a short period of silence.  We then watch a one-hour video and enjoy another short period of silence.  All are invited. For more information, contact Matt Denis. Learn more about Gangaji and her message at www.Gangaji.org.

HUMANIST GROUP. This group meets on the second Wednesday of each month in the Fellowship Commons at 2:00 PM

December 13,  Humanist Manifestos Revisited and Group Share Shop:  Why I Am A Humanist!   Bob Camp, Coordinator.  Our Humanist Group is now a registered affiliate of the American Humanist Association and HUUmanists.

KALEIDOSCOPE. This group  meets the first and third Wednesday of each month in the Fellowship Commons at 7:15 PM  In January 2007 we will begin meeting on the second and fourth Thursdays.

December 6, "Born in A Brothel" is a documentary about the children whose mothers are prostitutes in the tawdry, dehumanizing brothels of India 's Calcutta . This is an exceptional work of art, being the winner of more than 20 major film festival awards including being nominated and winning an Oscar. The film has earned its awards by focusing on the hopes, dreams, talents, and joys of the brothels' children. They turn out to be the most gifted residents by being able to survive in an unbelievably hostile environment.  The program will be facilitated by Stuart Fischoff, a California State professor emeritus and a media psychologist.

December 20, "The Seventh Seal."  This film gained Ingmar Bergman an international reputation. The film, is an all-out religious allegory addressing that most-contemplated question, "Does God exist?" A man seeks answers about life, death, and the existence of God as he plays chess against the Grim Reaper during the Black Plague. Bob Camp facilitates this program.

PSI SYMPOSIUM. This group meets the second Sunday of the Month in Room 06 at Noon

December 10,   Cynthia Dudeck will present information about the movie "Happiness...or everyone is waking up."  Former member Shelley Smothers is on the creative team making this movie. To read more about the movie and the people who are interviewed go to http://www.happinessdocumentary.com   Bring a snack to share and any friends who maybe interested in this topic.

ROUNDTABLE READERS. This group meets once a month in Room 04 after the Sunday Service at Noon

No December meeting. January 2007 book is  What’s the Matter with Kansas: How Conservatives Won the Heart of America, by Thomas Frank.

VIDEO CIRCLE.  This group meets in the Fellowship Commons at 7:15 PM

December 1, “Central Station.”  This Brazilian film is a story about a lonely retired school teacher who reluctantly takes a young boy under her supervision in an effort to find his father, after the accidental death of his mother.  It is a profoundly moving story of the human spirit.

December 15, “King of the Masks.”  This film from China is the story of a street magician in the 1930's, looking for an heir to pass on his art of showing masks. "King of the Masks" has wit, charm and a few surprises in the established customs of China . 

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The deadline for submission of material for the next CUF Links Newsletter is December 20th.

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

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CUF Links Editor: Anne Sharpe      Web Editor: Yolan Presley

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