Service Schedule:
July 5
GA hijinks
July 12
UU Heritage
July 19
TBA
July 26
TBA
MINISTER’S MUSINGS
What’s just about as popular as a New Year’s Resolution? What
excites you every June? It’s the Summertime Plans List…This summer I’m
going to….Vacations, camping weekends, swimming and boating are usually
high on the list. Many of us also include summertime reading, all those
good books that you have longed to read but didn’t quite have time for
this past winter.
In case your list isn’t long enough already, here are a few suggestions to
consider:
*Life on the Color Line: The True Story of a White Boy Who Discovered He
Was Black,
by Gregory H Williams. This is the 2009 One Book One Community title
sponsored by the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library. It is a
fascinating glimpse into race relations in Indiana in the not too distant
past and it has already kicked up some lively discussion in our community.
Dr. Williams will be speaking at Bosse High School on October 1 at 7:30
pm. In addition, we will have a community roundtable (which I have
been asked to participate in) as well as library branch discussion groups
and, hopefully, a UUCE discussion.
*The
Children’s Story
by James Clavell. This is a very quick read, perhaps ½ hour.
It is my all time favorite entry into the fascinating land of critical
thinking, mass media, propaganda and education. My fantasy is that
everyone at UUCE reads this book, particularly the youth. For those who do
not get a chance to read it this summer, I will have copies available in
the fall.
*Out
of the Flames: the Remarkable Story of a Fearless Scholar, a Fatal Heresy,
and One of the Rarest Books in the World.
By Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone. This biography of Michael Servetus, a
legendary Unitarian Universalist forerunner, will bring the period of the
Reformation into brilliant context as it follows this intriguing physician
and theologian through his intriguing life and brutal death.
*The Sparrow
by Mary Doria Russell. This is the strangest, can’t put down book I have
ever read. Here is the library’s description: “A Jesuit priest and
linguist who leads a twenty-first century expedition to a newly discovered
extraterrestrial culture returns to Earth as the mission’s sole survivor,
accused of heinous crimes as well as the mission’s failure.” BTW, it is
the first of a trilogy.
*Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace One School at a
Time
by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. From the publisher: in 1993 Greg
Mortenson was an American mountain-climbing bum wandering emaciated and
lost through Pakistan's Karakoram. After he was taken in and nursed back
to health by the people of a Pakistani village, he promised to return one
day and build them a school. From that rash, earnest promise grew one of
the most incredible humanitarian campaigns of our time--Mortenson's
one-man mission to counteract extremism by building schools, especially
for girls, throughout the breeding ground of the Taliban.
Perhaps you have some suggestions for me and others at UUCE. I’d love to
know your favorites and your thoughts on these books. Email me if you
would.
---In faith, love and service,
Rev Deane
Deane Oliva
Unitarian Unversalist Church of Evansville
812 474-1704
SUNDAY SERVICES
July 5th
- GA Hijinks - Fresh off the press, Rev Deane will describe the highlights
of General Assembly in Salt Lake City, including information on the
election of our newly elected denominational president and our four year
study action issue, ethical eating.
July 12
- This year is the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. Did you know that
a white Unitarian woman, Mary White Ovington, was one of the founders of
the NAACP? Come learn more about our UU heritage. Jan
Steinmark, Lay Leader.
July 19-
TBA
July 26-
TBA
BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S MEETING
UUCE Board of Director's meets the first Monday of the month at 6:30 PM.
MEDITATION
Meditation will resume in July. It is cancelled the week of July 11th and
all of August.
Rev Oliva is on summer study leave or vacation most days
from July 5th through August 23rd. She can be reached by cell phone 270
779 9222 or email:
cogenisys@aol.com
FREE GEMSTONES
For those who missed the 6-21-09 Sunday Service. Gemstones will be
available through July 5th. Please take a gemstone from the front of the
sanctuary to keep with you as a reminder of your faith and your friends as
you travel this summer. If you would, return the stone at our water
communion service in the fall.
GIANT RECYCLING EFFORT PLANNED
Others call it a yard sale, garage sale, or rummage sale, but Unitarians
call it recycling. And it's been years since we've had a combined
effort to raise money by this means. Whatever one calls it, we are
planning to have one on Friday & Saturday,
September 11 &12 on the grass area and parking lot of the Church.
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. If you need help, the Committee will assist in transporting
your donations from your home to the Church, where they will be stored in
the Chalice House.
After discussing what will sell and what won't, the Committee has decided
to refuse certain items, namely, analog TV sets, broken or non-functioning
appliances, and adult clothing. Articles of clothing for children
will be accepted.
This is our chance to raise some much-needed funds for our operating
budget, to rid our homes of clutter, and to bring expressions of delight
to addicted yard sale habitues.
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.
KIDS FUNDRAISER FOR UUCE
The kids in our Religious Exploration class have made small decorative
birdhouses - available on the table in the foyer - donations appreciated!
On Sunday, July 26th they will be making another project for our August
Kids' Fundraiser. We appreciate your support!
EASY FUNDRAISERS
All of us would like to donate generously to the financial running of our
church, and here are two ways that won't cost you a cent! When
you are preparing to search cyberspace go to
www.goodsearch.com,
type in the charity as "Unitarian Universalist Church of Evansville" and
each search generates about a penny. And when you are shopping
on-line, just take one additional step - first go to
www.goodshop.com,
(again the charity is Unitarian Universalist Church of Evansville) then
click on your store and place your order - and the store will donate a
percentage to our church! Now, how easy is that?
UNITED CARING SHELTER
UUCE members prepare the evening meal for the folks at the United Caring
Shelter the third Friday of each month. In July our day to cook and
serve is the 17th.
We begin at 3:00 and are generally done by 5:30.
In July we are requesting carrots, peas, egg noodles, and cream of
celery soup. Please bring your donations to church by July 15th.
The third Sunday plate share will be used to purchase additional
food items.
Thank you so much for your donations of green beans and potatoes in
June. And remember, volunteers to help prepare and serve the food are
always needed and welcome!
POTLUCK
Our monthly potluck will be on July 26 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. Thanks for your continued support of this project that
helps the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.
SHAMANIC DRUMMING CIRCLES
The First Friday Shamanic Drumming Circle meets the first Friday of each
month at 7:00- 9:00 PM at the church.
All are welcome.
The Third Friday Drumming Circle meets the third Friday of each month at
7:00- 9:00 PM at the church.
All are welcome.
ADULT DISCUSSION GROUP
The UUCE discussion group meets the 1st and 3rd and 5th Sundays of the
month at 8:45 AM at the Chalice House.
The topic for July 5 is: What
stories do humans tell to convince ourselves we have a special place in
the Universe. The July 19th
topic is undecided at this time.
GREETERS NEEDED
Want to contribute to the church in a meaningful way but only have,
say, 20 minutes a week to spare? Perfect! Be a greeter! Greeters are those
wonderful, smiling people you've noticed welcoming people at the door,
passing out hymnals in the sanctuary, and straightening up chairs after
the service on Sundays. It's a fun, easy, and important job that doesn't
take much time at all. Interested? See me, Lauren Talley, in church, or
contact me via email (xgj36@hotmail.com)
or phone. I look forward to hearing from you!
CAJE UPDATE
As noted in the Courier and Press story below CAJE continues to make an
impact on Evansville. What
the story doesn’t tell you is that UUCE’s very own Mark Rigney was one of
the presenters regarding the issue of public transportation. As he told us
during the Sunday program he gave at church, he has also traveled
extensively seeking information on his subject.
At the CAJE
meeting he told the gathering that METS had agreed that a representative
of theirs would speak at the CAJE action night program. The printed
program indicated the same, but no one from METS showed up. Mark gave a
presentation himself.
Also, among the many, many ministers present, it was Deane who was
chosen to give the closing prayer.
She directed the prayer to "Spirit of Life, Spirit of Love". -Junis
CAJE LANDS $1 MILLION FOR HOUSING
By Susan Orr staff writer for the Evansville Courier and Press
Evansville's Affordable Housing Trust Fund got a boost Thursday night when
Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel pledged to commit $1 million in city funding to
the cause.
The mayor made the commitment in front of about 900 members of
Congregations Acting for Justice and Empowerment (CAJE), a grass-roots
group of 11 congregations focused on social justice issues.
The members gathered at St. Benedict Cathedral for their annual action
assembly, in which CAJE presses public officials for specific commitments
to address community issues.
At this year's meeting, the focus was on two issues: affordable housing
and public transportation.
CAJE first considered the housing issue in 2007. The transportation issue
is new for the group this year.
Evansville established a housing trust fund several years ago with $1
million from Casino Aztar revenues. That money has been spent, CAJE
officials said, and since then the trust fund has sat idle.
At the meeting, Weinzapfel promised the city will contribute $500,000 both
in 2010 and 2011 to the fund.
All of that money will be used for housing for people living at or below
50 percent of median income.
The mayor also pledged the city will work with CAJE to identify additional
funding sources, with an ultimate goal of finding $2 million per year for
the trust fund; and that he would work with CAJE and Vanderburgh County
officials to seek county funding for the cause.
Weinzapfel told the group the city is committed to
providing more affordable housing, and he challenged those present to also
do their part.
"We recognize that there's a lot more to be done, but it's not just
government that can do it," the mayor said.
On CAJE's second target issue, public transportation, the meeting was not
as successful.
Over the past several months, CAJE members have met with representatives
from the Metropolitan Evansville Transportation System and the Evansville
Metropolitan Planning Organization as well as elected officials, area
employers and others.
But no one from METS was present at the meeting to hear CAJE press its
case for improved public transportation. However, Tom Barnett, executive
director of the Evansville Metropolitan Planning Organization, was
present.
The Rev. Jay Davidson, a member of CAJE's executive committee, said he was
disappointed but not discouraged that no one from METS accepted CAJE's
invitation to the meeting.
Davidson reminded the crowd that CAJE had a similar experience when it
first proposed a dental clinic for those in need.
The group continued to press the issue, and a dental clinic opened in
2006.
"Hang in there with us — we will succeed," Davidson told the group.
Making Coffee at UUCE
Now is the time
to demythologize coffee brewing at UUCE.
UNLOCKING THE SECRET
The coffee maker
is on a timer. The timer is set to AUTO for Sunday coffee making. On
Sundays simply follow the steps below. For any other day of the week one
must first turn the timer to ON, wait 15 (fifteen) minutes for the water
to heat, and then proceed to the steps below.
MAKING COFFEE – All supplies are in the cabinet below the coffee maker.
1)
Put
clean filter in the filter basket.
2)
Add
coffee:
a)
Decaffeinated coffee comes in packets, one packet per pot of coffee.
b)
Caffeinated coffee is measured into filter basket – ½ cup per pot. There
is a measuring spoon in the coffee canister.
Place empty coffee pot on lower
1)
burner.
2)
Turn
burner warmer on.
3)
Pour
one pitcher (or one pot) of water into the top right fill spot on coffee
maker.
4)
Wait
for coffee pot to fill.
TO
FINISH –
1)
Turn
off burners.
2)
Rinse
coffee pot.
Put
timer back on AUTO
