EverGreene
Reverend Elizabeth Greene
August is a kind of strange month in the Unitarian Universalist "church calendar."
In July, I and the religious education staff are on vacation, and our office manager gets some time off, too. The office is either closed or on summer hours, and there is one worship service each Sunday, ably led by lay people and the Sunday Services Committee. There is a "summer time and the livin' is easy" feel to things, just as there is in the lives of many church folks.
August comes along, and a lot of people think it's July, Part II—but it's not. It is true that we are still on summer office hours, and that one-service Sundays are still lay led.
But you would be surprised at all the activity going on.
It is one of the busiest months of the year for children's religious education staff and committee members, as they prepare for the program year. The Board and the Pastoral Care Team each have their annual retreats, discussing larger issues for which there is little time during the regular year. The Sunday Services Committee (which had its annual retreat in June), is very busy preparing for a smooth and inspirational worship year.
And I start gearing up, spending a lot of time with the church's working groups, like the ones mentioned above, like our Council leaders and our Small-Group Ministry folks, plus thinking about Sunday services.
Still and all, August is the only month of the year in which I am not officially on vacation and yet have no sermons to prepare. This makes me more available for visiting, something I can't do very much of during the program year.
Grab your chance! E-mail me ( ) or call the office (658-1710) to set up a time to have coffee or lunch or take a walk or drop by my office. I'd love to chat.
President's Letter
Wanda Jennings
BUUF Board Budget Meeting
The BUUF Board met and approved our budget for the 2006-2007 year. The Board passed the Personnel Committee's recommendations for compensating our staff fairly for the fantastic jobs they are doing. We all should be proud that we are paying our staff equitable wages, plus we were able to fund most of the requests of the committees. Now it is up to you to pay your pledges and to participate fully in the fund raising efforts throughout the year.
45th Annual General Assembly (GA), A Meeting of Congregations
Renewed, refreshed and recommitted to planting the seeds of justice and harmony I returned from the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly (UUA GA) in St. Louis in June.
I participated in workshops on
Anti-racism/Anti-oppression
Green Sanctuary/Ministry for Earth
Leadership Training especially for Presidents of Congregations
Small Group Ministry
Social Justice
Meeting a GA Covenant Group (Small Group Ministry) deepened the quality of my GA experience as I shared it with seven others. {Sign up to join BUUF's Small Group Ministry and to explore ideas of spirituality in an intimate setting!}
Jazz for the Banner Parade, hymns from the new supplement, the UUA Children's Choir, and Elizabeth Greene singing in the UUA Choir added to the musical spirituality.
I was privileged to hear Mary Oliver reading her poetry at the Ware Lecture.
I took a ride up to the top of the 630 foot high Gateway Arch for a bird's eye view of St. Louis.
Using excellent examples of democracy and right relations UU's from congregations large and small across America helped to craft strong Statements of Conscious on the Threat of Global Warming and Peacemaking. (See Social Justice article elsewhere in this newsletter.)
We are tending the flame of Unitarian Universalism beyond our time. You may be one last spark we all need to light the whole world.
Didn't get to go to GA? You can get many of the materials at www.uua.org/ga. UUA General Assembly will be in Portland, Oregon June 20-24, 2007. This is your chance to attend a General Assembly close to home. Plan now to attend. You'll be inspired and educated and enthused!
Mészkõ Partner Church News
Cynthia Alleman
Just like these hot summer days, plans are heating up again for Fesztival! Fun and delicious ideas are in the works for our second Fesztival planned for Saturday, September 30th. We need your help to make Fesztival a success, so please call Claudia Fernsworth at 853-1526, (email: ) if you're willing to volunteer for a few hours.
If Fesztival gets you thinking about Hungary and Meskzo (and we hope it does!)...think about traveling to Mészkõ next summer. Seven people from our congregation have already expressed a desire to go in 2007. Contact Cynthia Alleman or Gywn Reid if you would like to join them.
The next partner church meeting will be in the BUUF library on September 12 at 4:30 p.m. Isten hozta! Welcome!
Want to learn more about Unitarian Universalism?
*Unitarian Universalist societies come in a great variety of shapes and sizes with a wide range of programs and special interests. The essence of each is as unique as the people who comprise the congregation, but there are common concerns and fundamental principles that hold them together. As Marjorie Achley says, "Perhaps you have been looking for a church where:
Your doubts are not ridiculed.
Your guilts are lightened.
Your griefs are comforted.
Your joys are celebrated.
Your children are taught all religions.
Your talents are nurtured.
Your concerns are shared.
Your reason is honored.
Your friendships are deepened.
Your love of art and beauty is expanded.
Your need to serve others is fostered.
Your need to laugh is encouraged.
Your individual decision is treasured.
Then you have been looking for the Unitarian Universalist Church. These are our aspirations. If they are yours, come join and help us achieve them."
You may be new to Unitarian Universalism or to a particular congregation or you may have participated for a long time (*Polly Laughland Guild).
This is your opportunity to learn more and make new connections. The NEW UU Classes begin Wednesday September 27 at 7:00 PM and run for four consecutive Wednesdays (September 27, October 4, 11, and 18) here at the Fellowship (childcare provided if arranged in advance). If you have questions feel free to email or call Steve Thomas / home phone 342-1196 work 395-5349.
Small Group Ministry Update
The process of forming "Chalice Circles" continues! Briefly, a Chalice Circle (Small Group Ministry) group consists of 8-10 people who meet regularly (about once per month) to share and discuss issues of spiritual concern. The purpose is to deepen their understanding and support of one another through respectful discussion.
After reviewing information from the Small Group Ministry forum held in June, a list of potential facilitators and co-facilitators has been compiled and a training date for set for the evening of Tues., Aug. 8. Currently training material for facilitators is being developed. After facilitator training is complete, facilitators and co-facilitators will meet to discuss the logistics of group formation. Further information and the opportunity to join specific groups will appear in early September.
Ultimately the number of available groups will be determined by the number of facilitators trained and the number of people who have expressed interest in joining a Chalice Circle. Friends of UU and members are welcome to join! If you are interested in participating in this exciting new part of the BUU Fellowship, pick-up a brochure at the back table in the sanctuary before or after services, or contact Jay Wechselberger, Cheri Rendler, or Wanda Jennings. Anyone interested in participating in a Chalice Group as a member will be added to the list of potential participants and can expect to be contacted in early September.
Share Your Spiritual Journey
Sunday Services Committee
Many people enjoyed the member profiles given during the stewardship campaign. In fact, the positive feedback helped Sunday Services decide upon the theme "Our Journeys" for the 2006-2007 fellowship year. The theme will focus on the idea of spiritual journeys that lead to Unitarian Universalism. The committee is looking for volunteers who would be willing to share their spiritual journey with the congregation. Starting in October, the second Sunday service of each month will have five minutes available for a volunteer who wishes to share their journey. Please contact Gail Haldeman ( ) or Desiree Swain ( ) if you would be willing to volunteer.
Breakthrough Congregations!
Wanda Jennings
Come watch a 20 minute DVD about what other UU Congregations are doing to inspire you in your life at BUUF. The Unitarian Universalist Association Growth Team chose four Breakthrough Congregations in 2005 which overcame obstacles that had prevented them from growing either in numbers or in spirit.
Join us on Sundays at 11:30 following the service on July 30th, August 6, 13, and 20.
Habitat for Humanity Receives Our Outreach Dollars
The BUUF Board made a decision to give to designate 25% of the plate offerings (that are not pledges) to go to a designated cause. The summer cause is Habitat for Humanity for helping build a local home. We need $5000 for BUUF to participate in a Habitat build in the fall. Mark your checks "Outreach" and 100% goes to Habitat. What a great way for BUUF to help locally!
Senior Sages News
You need neither be a senior nor a sage to attend the breakfast meetings of one of BUUF's longest-running groups. The Senior Sages meet at 9:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of most months at the Kopper Kitchen on Airport Way and enjoy stimulating discussions and presentations on a range of topics. Drop ins and new regulars are always welcome.
Thursday, Aug. 10—Robert Huntley presents "Tales from the Crypt," an illustrated travelogue from his recent trip to Egypt and Jordan.
Thursday, Aug. 24—Retired judge Alan Schwartzman reflects on his 32 years on the Idaho bench.
Book Club News
BUUF's two book clubs are in summer recess, but if you'd like to start reading so you can participate in one or both groups next month, here's what's scheduled:
The Classics Group (meets 4 or 5 times a year, ad hoc dates)...
Sept. 19: Charles Dickens' "The Old Curiosity Shop"
The Other Book Club (meets monthly, second Sunday evenings) ....
Sept 10: Ted Kooser's "Local Wonders—Seasons in the Bohemian Alps"
Your Artwork Wanted
Resuming this the fall, BUUF will exhibit original art by members, friends and community artists. The exhibits—solo, dual or group—generally stay up for a month in our South Wing 'gallery'. If you'd like to participate—or to nudge artist friends to exhibit—you'll find complete information and application blanks in the Art Exhibition Package, which you can obtain from the BUUF office or with an email inquiry to .
Social Justice from the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) to BUUF
Wanda Jennings
I was proud to be a delegate representing BUUF as I voted for Social Justice at the UUA General Assembly (GA). Following are issues brought from UUA members like you. Considerable works has been done in choosing these issues and in preparing ideas for OUR participation.
Threat of Global Warming/Climate Change
Earth is our home. We are part of this world and its destiny is our own. Life on this planet will be gravely affected unless we embrace new practices, ethics, and values to guide our lives on a warming planet. As UU's, how can our faith inform our actions to remedy and mitigate global warming?
So begins OUR Statement of Conscious. What will YOU do?
Peacemaking 2006-2008 Study/Action Issue
Should the UUA reject the use of any and all kinds of violence and war to resolve disputes between peoples and nations and adopt a principle of seeking just peace through non-violent means?
Moral Values for a Pluralistic Society 2005-2007 Study/Action Issue
Actions of Immediate Witness
- End Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining
- Endorse "Declaration of Peace" campaign
- Pass the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act
- Stand Up for the United Nations Human Rights Council
- Support Immigrant Justice
General Assembly attendees made a promise that our congregations would do at least one activity to learn about Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression. What shall we do?
Bryan and I are personally interested in helping BUUF to become certified by the UUA as a Green Sanctuary. Check it out at www.uuministryforearth.org.
Each year similar Social Justice issues are debated at the General Assembly and yet BUUFers have seldom taken a stand or worked with the UUA to help solve these serious problems. Together we are one strong body!
I call you to action! These are important issues. Please choose one to become involved with, share your ideas with another BUUFer, thus helping to spur our congregation into action, encouraging us to make a difference in our world.
A plethora of information is available on all of these issues at www.uua.org.
Idaho Earth Institute Garage Sale
Jeanette Ross
While you rummage through those boxes in the garage, are you remembering your New Year's promise to reduce, help someone else reuse, and simplify?
September 16 is your chance. Idaho Earth Institute will hold its annual rummage sale in the north end, at 1520 North 12th Street, the corner home of Hyde Park Mennonite Church.
We have storage and volunteers in place to receive your donations. We will also need pricers the week before the sale (they get a glass of wine, nibbles, mounds of sortables, and first dibs to purchase). We also need staff the day of the sale and persons with good backs to lug boxes from storage to the sale site on Friday, Sept 15. And there's a special place in heaven (and/or our hearts) for anyone who brings treats for the volunteers.
All money from the sale supports outreach by IEI, including free turtle talks and inexpensive, enlightening classes on living well (and simply). Contact Jeanette Ross at 378-1217 to arrange pickup of donations or directions to Dan Walters' garage for sorting and storage.
Sale leftovers will be donated to Idaho Youth Ranch.
Become a Public Diplomacy Advocate — Host an AFS High School Student
In August 2006, a group of specially selected students will arrive in the USA to learn firsthand about American culture and institutions. We need your help.
AFS will be coordinating the arrival of scholarship students from Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Turkey. These are students participating on the Youth Exchange and Study Program for countries with significant Muslim populations funded by the U.S. Department.
To learn more about how you can become a host family, participate in community activities or volunteer with AFS for this special initiative, please contact:
Sibylle Langer
AFS Programs Advisor
(800) 237-4636 ext 1530
AFS (formerly the American Field Service) is a voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that works toward a more just and peaceful world by providing international and intercultural learning experiences to individuals, families, schools and communities through a global volunteer partnership. AFS has been a pioneer in providing intercultural learning experiences through high school student exchange for more than 60 years.
