Service Schedule:

            Aug 2      Common Ground: The Katrina Trip  Retrospective

            Aug 9      Is there something more?

            Aug 16    A Musical experience

            Aug 23    Formulas for Now 

            Aug 30    Gateway to World Religions                   

 

MINISTER’S MUSINGS

     Just back from New Orleans, a fabulous trip!  If you miss our August 2^nd service presentation, please ask Nancy, John, Marv, Tina or myself to tell you about our experiences.  Then, start thinking about our mission trip for next year!

    During the summer months I will be splitting my time between study and vacationing.  Study time will be devoted to reading Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and writer, theologian, Thomas Moore, in anticipation of a Zen retreat in mid August and a ministers’ convocation in November, as well as planning for the new church year.  I have included in the body of this column a tentative schedule and do heartily solicit feedback.  By mid August I hope to review the feedback, modify the offerings, and put together a brochure for each of us, visitors and new members, so that we will all be able to plan ahead.

    Faith development is a core component of our mission. Here is a preview, with tentative dates, of the adult RE offerings for the 2009-10 year.  Please note that childcare is always provided with advance notice.

The Monday Series- The Monday series works in conjunction with our Children’s Religious Education focus.  This year we will study The Eightfold Path. Next year this space will be reserved for the Seven Principles to accompany the RE program’s emphasis on Unitarian Universalism and the third year we will explore the Ten Commandments which will accompany an RE emphasis on our Judeo Christian heritage.

The Eightfold Path – Offered on the third Monday of each month for eight months. This series will utilize Awakening the Buddha Within: Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World by Lama Surya Das as the structure for studying ways in which Unitarian Universalists can concretely carry out their faith on a daily basis.  It is hoped that participants will volunteer to co-lead one session.  Begins Monday September 20^th. 

Search for Truth and Meaning- Each fall and winter UUCE will offer multi week courses on spiritual, theological, ethical development.

Building Your Own Theology: Volume I, Introduction- Fall, 2009.  Utilizing Richard Gilbert’s highly acclaimed study book Building Your Own Theology, we will spend six weeks exploring – through study, reflection, discussion and writing - our personal theological development.  Begins Thursday September 17^th..

Building Your Own Theology: Volume III, Ethics- Winter, 2010.  “Ethics explores the moral implications of participants' values and beliefs, with each session featuring a different dimension of ethical decision-making: authority, motivation, responsibility, the situation, intention, relationships, values, and character.” Begins Thursday January 7^th.

 

One time events- Mark your calendar for a special one day workshop on Saturday October 31rst on     Preparation as we Age – Making Choices.  Time: 10-3, lunch included. 

Ongoing events- Covenant Groups – This year we will develop two covenant groups, one on the second Wednesday of the month and one on the second Friday of the month.  Start dates: October 14 and 16. Movies – A series on Heresy has been suggested. Keep watch for dates.  Third Thursday Brown Bag Lunch – continues.  Each month we will invite a speaker to join us for lunch and discussion.  Time: Noon until 1:15. Start date: September 17^th.   Women’s Group – If we have enough interest, we have a new curriculum for interested folks.  Parent’s Group – Do we have interest in this type of group?

Over the summer, consider you schedules, your needs and desires. Offer comments to me at cogenisys@aol.com. Then be ready to peruse the final brochure, mark your calendars and sign up for the activities that interest you.

 

Have a safe, healthy summer.  I’ll see you at the end of August.

 

Blessings,

Rev. Deane Oliva
Unitarian Unversalist Church of Evansville
812 474-1704

Notes from COM (Committee on Ministry)

 

SUNDAY SERVICES

Aug 2^nd - Common Ground: The Katrina Trip  Retrospective - Tina Sizemore, Nancy Higgs, Marv Albin and Rev Deane will share insights and pictures from their mission trip to New Orleans.

Aug 9^th- Is there something more? God talk
How we deal with spiritual quest and experience
Tom Moor Worship leader

Aug 16^th - Diane Brewer will lead us in a Musical experience

Aug. 23^rd   Formulas for Now.  John Schaeffer Worship Leader
Aug 30^th  - Gateway to World Religions - In the coming church year we will explore major world religions. This service suggests a comparative container for our search for truth and meaning.

 

BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S MEETING

    UUCE Board of Director's meets the first Monday of the month at 6:30 PM. 

 

MEDITATION

    Meditation is cancelled all of August.

REVEREND OLIVIA’s SUMMER SCHEDULE

    In July, Reverend Olivia was gone 1 week for the Katrina Social Justice trip.  She also used 3 weeks of accrued study time in July.  Reverend was available for emergencies during this time.  In August she will use her final week of accrued study time and her vacation time.  She will be back from her vacation on August 23^rd.

    During this time the Worship Committee will be conducting lay lead services, Hardin will be picking up the mail and Reverend Olivia will be checking messages herself.    Reverend Claudia Ramaischi will be available for funeral services should the need arise while Reverend Olivia is on vacation. 

   The members of COM are available to discuss this or any other concerns you may have regarding the ministry of the church.  The members of COM are Mark Rigney, our chair, Joel Haffner, Susie Feinberg and myself, Ann Hanat, the secretary.  We will handle all comments and concerns with discretion and respect, addressing each within the committee at large and keep you informed as to the outcome when possible.

    Go in Peace and may your living bless the world.

Ann Marie Hanat

 

CHOIR MEMBERS NEEDED

    Choir Season starts again in September.  We are actively encouraging your support!  The choir is a great way to give from the heart and to worship together.  It is our goal to have a committed core of solid singers that really satisfy.  We meet the second, third, and fourth Wednesday evenings of every month.  Please sign up on the commitment sheet in the lobby.
    Consider making some musical offering on a less weekly basis.  We're inviting the congregation to dust off those high school band instruments or break out the guitar and contribute to centering music time during our services.  Any and all forms of collaboration will be supported.  Please see Sarah Moor or sign up on the commitment sheet in the lobby.

 

YARD SALE/ RECYCLING EFFORT PLANNED

    Don’t forget UUCE is holding a Giant Yard Sale/Recycling effort on September 11 &12.  

     Members and friends are urged to start putting aside items now, in anticipation of bringing them to the site of the Sale, but no sooner than August 15.  

      Naturally, this effort will require strong backs and dedicated workers, in particular the week of September 6 and the two days of the Sale itself. If you are willing and able, your help will be much appreciated. A sign-up list will be circulated during Sunday services as we approach the dates of the event.  Ed Howard, Chair.

 

THE OFFICIAL UUCE CALENDAR

    One of the goals of the communications committee is to develop a calendar of upcoming events for the church.  This calendar will include major events such as the annual meeting but will also include the many week to week or month to month events that many of our committees and groups plan.  The purpose of the master calendar is to have one calendar that lets us plan more efficiently.

   If you are in charge of - or know of - events that should be included in this calendar, please contact Rosi Weatherwax at waxjack@insightbb.com or call.  Please include:

The event

Date and Time

Location (specific rooms if within the church)

The name and contact information for the person in charge of the event.

     If you have questions about whether to include your event, give Rosi a call.

 

UNITED CARING SHELTER

    UUCE member fix a meal for the folks at the United Caring Shelter the third Friday of each month.  In August our day to cook and serve is the 21^st.  We begin at 3:00 and are generally done by 5:30.  In August we are requesting spaghetti noodles, meat sauce, garlic bread, and salad makings.  Please bring your donations to church by August 19^th.   The third Sunday plate share will be used to purchase additional food items. 

    Thank you so much for your donations in past months. And remember, volunteers to help prepare and serve the food are always needed and welcome!

 

POTLUCK

    Our monthly potluck will be on August 23^rd following the service.  Plan to join us and gather with fellow UU’s for good food and good conversation!

 

COFFEE

     Place your order for chocolate, cocoa, and coffee. Contact Chris Norrington - cnorrington@hotmail.com or call. 

 

SHAMANIC DRUMMING CIRCLES

    The First Friday Shamanic Drumming Circle meets the first Friday of each month. The Third Friday Drumming Circle meets the third Friday of each month. Both meet at 7:00- 9:00 PM at the church.  All are welcome.

 

ADULT DISCUSSION GROUP

    The UUCE discussion group meets the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month at 8:45 AM at Chalice House.  The topic for August 2 is: UU theology as presented at GA.  The August 16^th topic is undecided at this time.

 

Calling all passionate people!

    The latest meeting to craft UUCE’s Vision Statement drew three people besides myself.  I know there are many of you who feel passionately about the vision of where we want this church to be in five years.  Everyone should have the opportunity to have a voice in deciding who we want to be and what we will stand for in this church, in this community, and in this world.  The Vision Statement will guide our development of a Strategic Plan for UUCE.  

   Don’t pass up the next opportunity to participate in this important discussion!  On Sunday, September 27^th, we will be having an informal discussion about the Vision Statement while we enjoy the delicious pot luck luncheon after the service.  Please mark your calendar!  Rosi Weatherwax, Deane Oliva, or I will be glad to answer any questions you may have about this process.     -Mary Helen Weldy

 

DO WE HAVE YOUR CORRECT EMAIL?

     Your e-mail address is your connection to important announcements such as notices about upcoming congregational meetings?  The new UUCE policy is that e-mail, rather than postcards, is the method for members receiving information about upcoming congregational meetings and other official church notices.  

     Do you have a current e-mail on file?   Did you receive an recent e-mail announcement about the July 26th meeting?  If you didn't, you either don't have an e-mail on file or your e-mail listing is not current.  Please contact Rosi Weatherwax at waxjack@insightbb.com to update your listing if needed.

 

MONTHLY DONATIONS and PLATE SHARE

    We will be collecting specific food items (check the display at church) and money on the 3rd Sunday plate share to use when we serve dinner at United Caring Shelter on Friday, August 21st from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

 

GENEROUS KNITTING

    The December holidays will be here before you know it!  This year we are knitting/crocheting 100% cotton washcloths for Matthew 25 - patterns are available on the Social Justice table in the foyer.

 

WORSHIP ASSOCIATES

    Interested in learning more about becoming a Worship Associate?  Talk to Tom Moor, John Schaeffer, or Jan Steinmark for more information.  There will be a Worship Associates Retreat on Saturday, August 29th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the minister's house - perfect time to get all the help and encouragement you'd like!

 

KIDS' FUNDRAISERS

    Thanks for purchasing hand-painted decorative birdhouses in July.  Hand-decorated small picture frames will be available in August.  On Sunday, August 30th, the kids will be making a new project to sell.  Thanks for helping the kids help the church!

 

    To all the members and friends of our congregation who bear witness to the expression of our beliefs through your service to Evansville and to the greater community, UUCE says “Thank you!”  To UUCE members and friends who helped those whose lives were ravaged by Katrina, who speak about our beloved religious community to others who are seeking their spiritual path, who visit the sick and the lonely, who work to make CAJE successful in its quest for justice, who serve on boards and committees or otherwise participate in movements and organizations to promote a just and sustainable world, who serve a meal each month at United Caring Shelters with a smile, who participate in GA and other gatherings of UUs on a state or national level, who visit other UU churches and learn from them what might improve UUCE, who provide leadership for and/or who assist with our fundraising projects in the community, and for those who show through their graceful and joyful interactions with those outside our congregation that being a member of friend of UUCE means being motivated to think and to act, we offer our gratitude! 

   - Your Friends at UUCE

 

FALL FESTIVAL IS COMING   

    As summer draws to a close and we begin to think about back to school and other fall activities me mustn’t forget Evansville’s premier fall event- the Westside Nut Club Fall Festival!  The festival runs from Monday, October 5 through Saturday, October 10.  Sign-up sheets will be available the end of August for booth cleaning before the festival, cooking before the festival, working the booth during the festival, and post-festival booth cleaning!