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Church Life monthly newsletter
- part 2 Our newsletter has
been divided into two parts for quicker viewing. Part
1 will contain all church faith-related activities, including sermons,
messages from the minister and religious instruction. Part
2 will contain all other activities of church life. The
ForewordMarch
2009 See
all our activities at a glance: uuamherst.org/calendar
For a look at our Youth & Family activities, please see our RE
Calendar. Let's
Make Sundays more friendly to all our new visitors and more (ful)filling to our
members! Coffee Hour:
Many thanks to all who create our wonderful coffee hour time together.
Each week, there will be at least one experienced
coffee team member in the kitchen to assist volunteers. Our goal is to make it
a pleasant way for you to help with the Sunday service. It's a very important
way that you
can contribute to our beloved community! Look for volunteer sign-up sheets in
the service bulletin.We will need help for clean up after every coffee hour each
Sunday starting in September, as well as goodies to eat. We know how much all
of you UU's love your coffee hour. So we're asking all of you to participate.
Roger has been our godsend to help with the cleaning up. Other people need to
know how this is done and instructions are readily available, and easy to follow.
We now have a very good thing going for the coffee hour so let's keep it going!
Lovers of the coffee hour are invited tosign up for clean up helpers and/or bring
or buy goodies to share. Sign-up sheets will be passed around. Be the first to
take a date and encourage others to follow in your footsteps. Thanking you in
advance. Your coffee hosts, Sharon Harrington and Eileen McCallister Made
with love, or procured with love - we welcome your contribution to the refreshment
table Sunday mornings. There's no set schedule for this, so just bring along your
treat when the spirit moves you. Like
to help out with an easy and friendly task? Sign up to be a Greeter
at the Emerson Room doors on Sunday morning. It's a happy job! Look for the sign-up
sheet on the Church Life bulletin board in the Lobby. I'll send you a reminder
the week before you're on duty. Joan Jacobs Ushers:
Elaine Cusker, Ria and Hinni Martens and Bob Wack will join me again this
year as ushers on Sunday mornings. We'll be putting the inserts into the Order
of Service, handing them out to you as you enter the Chapel, sharing the microphone
at "Joys and Sorrows" and passing the plate at the collection. As if
that wasn't enough to keep us busy, we also count and record attendance and contributions.
We are often assisted by unsuspecting volunteers who we corral as they walk in
the door! Dennis Bihl
The
Art Wall could
use some beautiful art work to be hung there each Sunday. If you wish to display
some art work, sign up on the sheet that is hanging next to the Art Wall.Please
consider sharing your art, travel photos or collections with the congregation.
Sign up at the Art Wall for a Sunday and we'll help you hang your artwork before
service and take it down after service. (Here is Tom
sharing his creativity.) If you have any questions, you can contact Grace Little
Welcoming Circle: Do you want to help
out, but never seem to be able to get to church early enough to be a greeter or
coffee hour host? Your Membership Committee is looking for a few friendly people
to help meet & greet newcomers after the service. Please see Joann Shafer
to volunteer. Joann Shafer Welcoming People
with Disabilities Learn about promoting equality and access for
UU's with disabilities. Visit the website www.equualaccess.org. Transportation:
There are several people we know of, and this list will probably grow, that need
rides to church on Sundays and perhaps to other church activities. We would like
to form a list of people who are able to pick up someone occasionally. If our
list of drivers is big enough, no one will have to worry about finding an alternate
when they are not available. Jean Hutchinson is willing to take names of
drivers and riders and to keep the list up dated. Please call her if you can help!!
UUCA
ENDOWMENT TRUST "We make a living by what we get. We
make a life by what we give." Winston Churchill A Gift
for Future Generations
The UU Endowment Committee has worked very hard over
the years to promote awareness of the Endowment Trust and to encourage supporters
to either make a gift or remember the Endowment in their estate planning.
I
firmly believe that in absence of a sizable Endowment Trust, the Church will struggle
to build the financial foundation to support future growth. I believe that in
time, with enough bequests, we can build the Endowment to the $1 million dollar
mark. At this level, interest earned could help bridge the gap between our operating
budget and capital requirements. We are committed to ensuring that the
UU Church of Amherst will have the financial resources necessary to meet the future
needs of our community one way to accomplish this mission is to build the
Endowment Trust! I would like to thank the Endowment Committee for all of
their personal support and for many volunteer hours they put in to help promote
this very important aspect of our church. Although Denise and I are moving to
Pittsburgh, the spirit of this church will remain with us always. We found a new
path for our spirituality and wonderful lifelong friends! We plan to visit every
once in a while and look forward to seeing the growth of both the church and the
Endowment Trust! For further information on the UU Endowment Trust please
contact any member of the Endowment Committee: Ellen Doyno, Doris Kent, Irving
Laub, Mike Moran.
The CHURCH LIFE
Committee is recruiting new members. We are in charge of sponsoring three parties
a year. > a summer picnic, usually held at Dennis and Judy Bihl's summer
Cottage in Canada
> The Holiday Dinner, held in early December, for all church members,
with entertainment for the children and caroling for all. > The Pot-Luck
Dinners, now scheduled for Saturday 3/21, in conjunction with the Membership
Committee. If you are interested in planning parties and fun, this is the
committee for you. We hope to see many of you at that time. Eileen McCallister Board
Games Night - Fun & Free - Saturday, February
21 at 7:30 pm- Bring your favorite game, snacks to share with others,
a drink that you prefer. Children old enough to participate without adult supervision
are welcome. No child care is provided. RSVP Mary Slaven or Doreen Park
by Sunday, February 15. LIVING
MEMORIAL GARDEN The raised flower bed located in the center of our
front lawn is our UUCA Memorial Garden. The garden was developed in l989, using
funds raised from our members, to provide a quiet and peaceful area to scatter
the ashes of our deceased church members and, if requested, their non-member relatives.
Being
a traditional perennial garden, different plants appear and bloom throughout the
growing season, and there is always something flowering from early spring to late
fall. Ashes are initially placed in a small, buried receptacle and later are dispersed
among the different plants to nourish the soil and maintain the circle of life.
The garden is currently maintained by a small committee of volunteers, and the
fees paid by people who join the Memorial Garden are kept in a separate bank account
and are used solely for its maintenance.
A very reasonable fee is charged
for joining the Garden and this also includes the right to use a page in our Memorial
Book (kept in the Ministers Office), to memorialize the deceased person, and a
plaque on the Memorial Board (located in the Atrium) listing the persons name
and year of birth and death.
All fees are listed in the Living Memorial Garden leaflet available in the entrance
hall or from Margot's office. We invite you to stroll along the flagstone
path that links the Church to the Garden, sit on the curved stone bench for a
while, listen to the birds singing and enjoy the lovely view of our Church and
grounds. -Memorial Garden Committee: Paula Mumm, David Krause, Jerry Kent,
Pam Twycross-Kent Volunteers needed for Building
Operations Team (BOT) Join 5 experienced members on a team to ensure
that our Church facilities function optimally. Anyone interested can find a role
we need people who can perform or oversee maintenance on plumbing, electrical
systems, HVAC systems, carpentry, parking lot , painting as well as an overall
BOT coordinator. We also need someone on the team who can coordinate with the
cleaning staff and caretaker. More individuals on the team means less work for
everyone. You don't need to be a jack of all trades or even a master of one. To
volunteer, contact Gemma Lanthier or Brenda Young ). The
Miracle of Chanukah Despite a region-crippling storm, the wonderfully
generous effort put forth by the Chanukah Party volunteers insured that the celebration
(although in a new format) was able to take place. To the Latke chefs - Laurie
Kasnicki, Dorothy Reade, and Phyllis Andrews - a 21 Spatula salute for superb
pancakes! For the Rugellach and Chanukah Cookie bakers - Pam Twycross Kent,
Marie Evans, Laurie Zabel, Lauraine Marcus, Dorothy Reade, and the Ulrich family
- wow - the cookies were the best ever. To the salad maker - Margot Shoemaker
- not a cucumber was wasted - it was yummy. To
our shopper - Linda Gardner - you made the effort so much easier for the
cooks. To the Sunday coffee committee - Sharon Harrington and helpers -
thanks for the fine coordination. To our dishwashing saint - Roger Kinney
- although we did not have the luncheon - knowing your were there to help was
a huge relief. Finally to the entire committee who figured out the ingenious
winter storm solution of "Chanukah To Go" - you are all brilliant!
This was truly a Chanukah Miracle! Elaine R. Cusker Current
Events Discussion/Lunch Group Tuesday,
March 10, 12:30 pm - Men and women are invited to this lunch where
we talk about the events in the newspapers. The stimulus package will surely be
on our agenda. BYO lunch. Women's Lunch
- Tuesday, March 17, 12:30 pm - We meet again this month in the
Emerson Room to laugh and lunch together. After lunch today, we will watch the
6th segment of our John Adams series. One more to go until the dénouement
in April. Women's
Circle The Women's Circle
discussion group meets on the 1st, 4th and 5th Tuesdays of the month
at 1:30 pm in the Living Room.
March 3, 1:30
pm - We'll watch the "Paper Clips" DVD about students who
learn about discrimination by studying the Holocaust and collecting a paper clip
to represent each victim. March 24, 1:30 pm
- Carol Wells recommended we watch the DVD "Black Gold" which was shown
at an Adult Ed. evening program but is worthy of repetition. It is a documentary
of the coffee industry and shows why Fair Trade practices are needed to protect
its workers. March 31, 1:30 pm -
Rev. Tim is with us today and we already have a list of questions for him - but,
of course, you may always add another! April
7, 1:30 pm - AnnMarie Zon will be visiting us today to talk about Nicaragua.
Perhaps we will have items for her to take with her. We'll talk about that in
the weeks before her visit. -Marge Marcille
Adult
Ed. Pot Luck Dinner and Program Wednesday, March 11 Environmental
Advocacy Brian Smith of Citizens' Campaign for the Environment
will talk about the challenges and the opportunities for environmental activists
in years ahead. Through education, research, lobbying and public outreach, CCE
helps citizens have a much stronger voice in the development of public policies
& legislative agendas. Come and refine your "green" awareness. Bring
a dish to share - casserole, salad, or dessert. Pot Luck dinner begins
at 6:30 pm, Program begins at 7:30 pm and ends at 9.
PENNIES
FOR PEACE Our children will be sponsoring the Pennies for Peace
project to raise money for the Central Asian Institute, and the whole congregation
is invited to participate. The Central Asian Institute devotes itself to building
schools for communities in Pakistan and Afghanistan that do not have school buildings
for their children. They also work to ensure there are trained teachers in the
communities and supplies for the children. The book Three Cups of Tea tells
the story of the project. Large containers to drop off
your pennies will be found in the Chapel and in the Emerson room. Anne
Hibbert and Ria Martens RUMMAGE
2009 Rummage 2009 wakes up and smiles and says Feed Me! For
the Big Feast on April 4, Rummage needs: *clothing, clean and in good shape
*household & kitchen utensils *usable furniture *bed & kitchen
linens *toys for little kids and big ones, too *computer fixin's *books,
hard & soft but no texts
This
kind of ingredients makes Rummage Vittles that beat Chicken Soup. Please search
your cupboards & such, box it and bag it and await instructions. RUMMAGE 2009
is awake and hungry. Needa pot? Call Chief Rummage Chefs Dennis &
Judy Bihl. Spiritual
Cinema Group Come join the Ulrich family for a night of
movies on March 27. We would love to have you come
and enjoy company, conversation and some movies! Films this moth: Common
Practice A simple and timeless gift, this film reminds us to listen for the
beauty of everyday life and the joy of everyday love. 11 minutes, no dialog. Written
and directed by Marcos Efron. Flatland Starring Martin Sheen, Kristin
Bell and Michael York, this animated short film is based on the 1884 novella "Flatland:
A Romance of Many Dimensions" by Edwin A. Abbott. 36 minutes in English.
Written by Seth Caplan, Dano Johnson and Jeffrey Travis. Directed by Dano Johnson
and Jeffrey Travis. Jack and Jill vs the World This magical feature
film is a beautiful story of love and awakening starring Freddie Prinze Jr. and
Taryn Manning. 89 minutes in English. Written by Vanessa Parise and Peter Stebbings,
directed by Vanesa Parise. Tentative Dates for
the rest of the year (all Fridays): * April 24 * May 29 If
you would like to learn more about the specifics of the circle, go to spiritualcinemacircle.com The
Adult Lending Library is now open and available
for your use in the cabinet in the Emerson Room. Our newest addition is four copies
of Out of the Flames by Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone. This is a biography
of Michael Servetus who was martyred in the 16th century for writing "Errors
of the Trinity." Ellen Doyno was able to purchase these copies with funds
from the recycling library. The adult lending library is on the honor system,
so please feel free to borrow whatever you would like and simply use the sign-out
sheet in the cabinet. Any questions, see Barb Brooks.
The
Green Sanctuary Committee posts information on green activities in
WNY on the Green Sanctuary bulletin board in the lobby. Activities include conferences,
opportunities to volunteer, and wonderful recreational activities for adults and
children. Check it out! For
more information on our church's activity to become a Green Sanctuary, please
go to UUCA webpage on social concerns. Green
Sanctuary Success To be effective and really change our ways, green
alternatives need to be better. "Why put in a low wattage bulb, if you cannot
see?" a speaker said. Recently Chris Barry, with money from Carol Wells'
sale of "Benedictions," put in new bulbs in the Chapel lighting fixtures.
The new bulbs are much brighter, selected for correct light color, and use less
than a third of the former wattage. Chris also refocused the fixtures so light
goes directly on the choir and straight down on the congregation so we can read
more easily. Green can be better! Tim Ashton OUR FIRST CHECK!
The Junior Youth Group has received its first check from Abitibi Paper
Recycling. We'd like to thank the congregation for its support, and we remind
you to keep bringing in your paper for recycling... every little bit helps!
Social
Concerns / Economic Justice Task Force UUs
have long been an important part of community dialog and social action. For
example, UUs helped refuges reach safety after the Nazis invaded Prague, supported
the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, and worked to improve our environment.
The UU Church of Amherst has always been part of the movement (e.g., operating
an integrated day care program in the 1960s, becoming a green sanctuary church
today, along with many other examples). VOICE-Buffalo
affirms that the pursuit of the common good is the fundamental organizing principle
of a good society. All citizens of our neighborhoods, city and region deserve
the opportunities and resources to live in healthy communities. Any church member
can attend a VOICE meeting. Each month there is an interesting speaker.
VOICE-Buffalo has hired a new organizer, Louisa Pacheco, who started her
work in the Bronx and has been working for the Working Families Party here in
Buffalo for 4 ½ years. With 40-50 core team members attending the meeting,
we expressed our vision for the future. VOICE
continues to work on Transportation, Sprawl, Housing & Park Revitalization.
Also Warren Marcus, Margot Shoemaker & Pat Burke will be going
to Albany with Gladys Gifford for Transit Awareness Day on March 2. Come join
us for the next VOICE meeting - Feb 9 at 7 pm. Pat Burke
Feast of the Tables This is one of
the two major fund raisers that VOICE Buffalo holds each year. It is in its 3rd
year and has been very popular - good food, great chances to win theme baskets,
and activities for children make for a great evening. This year it will be held
on Saturday, February 14. Each church
that belongs to VOICE creates a theme table of food items. We are making vegetarian
food choices again this year. If you would like to help us, contact Pat Burke
or Margot Shoemaker. Or attend a planning meeting on Sunday, January
25 after church. Cell phone collection Thus
far, we have collected 17 used cell phones that have been donated to Haven House.
Moneys donated to this organization are used to buy useful goods and a book called
Getting Free that are given to women who come to this shelter. The
Food Pantry at University Presbyterian Church needs volunteers on
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30-4:00.Work with 3 or 4 other volunteers filling grocery
bags, checking out clients, or stocking shelves. You can work with a friend. For
more information, call the church office. Fair
Trade Coffee March 1 - Orders for Fair Trade coffee will be
taken on the first Sunday each month after the service, for delivery the following
Sunday. This is an ongoing program of the Economic Justice Task Force to promote
the economic advancement of indigenous coffee farmers throughout the world. The
delicious coffee that you enjoy on Sunday is Fair Trade Coffee. We buy it through
Premier Gourmet and receive a 30 % discount. Try it at home! Also for sale
on 1st Sundays: Dark chocolate, tea, almonds and cocoa. These are all Equal
Exchange products. Jim Park
BoxTops/Labels
for Education As part of our volunteer work with Gateway, we are requesting
that you save certain box tops and labels. Gateway can redeem
them for cash for their school programs. There will be a basket in the
book room/coat closet for you to deposit your labels and box tops. - Ellen
Doyno UU
Fellowship of Chautauqua Denominational House The Unitarian Universalist
Fellowship of Chautauqua, NY has purchased a large house on the Chautauqua Institution
grounds and is currently renovating it for use as a Unitarian Universalist Denominational
House. It will offer 6 bedrooms with shared bathrooms for weekly rentals of $300/wk
each for the 2009 season. Unitarian Universalists will be given preference for
the rooms until December 1, 2008, and then the rooms will be available for the
public. All rooms have two beds, one is designed as a family room, and another
is handicapped accessible. The house has three full baths (one of which is fully
handicapped accessible) plus two half baths. The UU Denominational House is
centrally located near Bestor Plaza, the Bookstore and the Colonnade at 6 Bliss.
It also offers a place to relax- including a secluded patio - for those coming
for the day, information for persons interested in UU faith and philosophy, meeting
space for programs, and social functions, too. For information about the UU
Fellowship of Chautauqua, the Denominational House, contact information, and reservation
forms, please go to www.uufchautauqua.org.
For information about Chautauqua Institution and its programs, visit www.ciweb.org.
We are looking forward to seeing you at Chautauqua!
Is
GOD keeping you from going to church? Maybe you're uncomfortable
with the idea of God -- or at least someone else's idea of God. Yet maybe
you yearn for a loving spiritual community where you can be inspired and encouraged
as you search for your own truth and meaning. This is a church, you ask?
Welcome to Unitarian Universalism. Over 1,000 congregations nationwide.
We invite you to join us. UUA.org/welcome
Our
newsletter has been divided into two parts for quicker viewing. Part
1 will contain all church faith-related activities, including sermons,
messages from the minister and religious instruction. Part
2 will contain all other activities of church life. |