BUUF News – May 2007

Contents

The Call to the 2007 Annual Meeting is on a separate web page, or pg. 12-16 of the complete, printer-friendly (PDF) edition of the May newsletter.

EverGreene

Reverend Elizabeth Greene

The last few weeks of the program year always seem to go by in a blur. Passages, passages....

There is Bridging Sunday (April 29), when we hear the wit and wisdom of our graduating seniors, those young people we have seen grow from very small folks to young adults, launching from the nest. We have Coming of Age Sunday (May 13), where we marvel at our 13- and 14-year olds' creativity and depth.

Of course, there's the one-service annual meeting Sunday (May 20), with a sermon on the State of the Church, followed by our annual meeting. And then the end-of-program-year inter-generational Flower Communion Sunday on June 3.

This year, we have one of the biggest, most bittersweet passages we have observed in years. Jennifer Thrall Thomas and her husband Steve Thomas will attend church for the last time on May 20, before they move to Minneapolis for Steve's work. Jennifer is completing her eighth year as our Director of Religious Education. Her shining time as DRE has brought vibrancy, organization, innovation and a lot of kids into our program. Steve has chaired innumerable committees, advised dozens of youth and made gallons of coffee.

We will miss them dreadfully, and not just because they have been fabulously-committed BUUF members. They are funny and fun. They have that honesty-plus-respect we all strive for. No matter how complex or messy the problem, they forge through to the creative solution.

Jennifer and Steve have made our church a better place by their presence.

Yes, we will carry on, and find joy in the next phase. But for now, that's hard to see, and we grieve. We will miss them. To celebrate them, come to the party, Friday May 18, at 6 pm at the church! (See article elsewhere)

Wanda's Wonderings

Wanda Jennings, Board President

Annual Meeting

The BUUF Board is excited to present the Annual Meeting on Sunday, May 20 following a 10:00 service and we hope you all will come! You will learn more about BUUF, where we have been and where we are going. You will also get a FREE snack lunch! Come help us set up a framework for an endowment fund, learn the pledge drive results, learn about our search for a new Director of Religious Education, and do some strategic planning. We will be saying farewell to Jennifer Thrall-Thomas, our current Director of Religious Education as she moves to Minneapolis. If you are a member of BUUF you have an obligation to come to the Annual Meeting to let your voice be heard. If you have not yet joined BUUF you are most welcome to come and participate, but you will not be allowed to vote.

Commitment Sunday

May 6 is Commitment Sunday. Please join us as we hear Michael Durall's great ideas on creating a congregation of generous people and be ready to make your pledge to BUUF's annual operating fund. Also join Michael on Saturday May 5 as he conducts workshops about stewardship.

Green Sanctuary Team

BUUF's Green Sanctuary Team proudly sponsored the successful Step It Up Concert for Climate Change. We are now working to become certified as a UUA Green Sanctuary, a process that will take about two years. There are so many different directions we could take that are asking for your input on ways that you would like to help to make BUUF Green (besides having Elizabeth Greene as a minister!) Please enjoy a mimosa and give your opinions on Sunday, June 3.

General Assembly in nearby Portland

If you were inspired by the AGM, think how much more you will be inspired by the General Assembly (GA) of ALL Unitarian Universalists. That's right; you have the opportunity to attend GA in Portland, Oregon June 20-24. Registration costs $285 before May 1. Check it out at www.uua.org. Four delegates will represent BUUF at GA and we would like for you to be one of them. You will vote on important issues and help make decisions on Statements of Conscience and on Actions of Social Witness. The plenary session process is fascinating as we make decisions that affect all of us. If you would like to be a delegate to GA, let me know.

You may be one last spark we all need to light the whole world!

BUUF Announcements Policy

When you or your group is considering making an announcement on Sunday morning, please consider the following BUUF Policy:

Informative announcements that benefit the entire community may be read during the Welcome by the individual opening the service or his/her designee with approval of those responsible for the service. These should not be more than 50 words in length. Such announcements can also be printed and placed on chairs prior to services with approval of those responsible for the service. Individuals responsible for such announcements should gather up and dispose of those left behind after the service. Announcements directed to a specific group or constituency should be placed in the order of service bulletin or the monthly newsletter.

EnThralled with RE

Jennifer Thrall-Thomas

This will be my last newsletter article to the BUUF congregation as the Director of Religious Education before my family packs up and leaves for Minneapolis, Minnesota around the 21 of this month. It is a bitter sweet time for me and my family. Hard because it has been a pleasure to be a part of this BUUF community for these past nine years and exciting because we are ready for the next great adventure in our lives.

It has been a great pleasure to serve you as the director of religious education. My how we have grown over these past years!. Not only have we grown in numbers, but we have grown in process and in structure (both institutionally and physically). It has been my pleasure to watch our young people grow up and interact in our community. We have filled the beautiful religious education wings with activity, fun and UU values. What terrific children and youth we have at BUUF and beautiful committed families!

Thank you so much for your support not only of me and my family but of the religious education program which has been such a big part of my love. I have so many memories, and I can't even begin to list them all. The BUUF and the people that make up our community will forever be a part of my family.

Mother's Day Brunch To Go

Nancy Riley

Mother's Day is May 13. Why not let the Junior High ''Boston Bounders'' help you celebrate and enjoy the day with a special brunch ''to go''. Brunch to go includes your choice of quiche, assorted muffins, sparkling apple cider, and fresh fruit all packed in a pretty bag. This will serve 4-5 people. Reservations and payments of $25 per brunch order must be received by May 6. Sign up at the north or south vestibule between services or after the 11:00 service. Contact Nancy Riley, Angie Tate, or Carol Sevier with questions.

Summer RE Coordinator Needed

The Religious Education committee is busy planning for our Children's Religious Education summer program based on the UU World Traveler's curriculum. Again this year we will hire a summer RE coordinator. The coordinator's primary responsibilities include scheduling and confirming volunteers, obtaining necessary class supplies and facilitating the chalice lighting opening ritual for each Sunday during the summer. If you are interested in learning more about this position, please contact Jennifer Thrall-Thomas, Director or Religious Education or Karen Raese, RE Elementary Program Specialist at 658-1710.

Be a Part of the Action... Join the Religious Exploration Committee

Cathy Carmen

The Religious Exploration Committee is actively seeking members for next years' adventures at BUUF. Ever wonder how special events are put together or how things seem to flow smoothly (or don't!) in the RE classes? Come join us on the committee and find out how it's all done! Having a child(ren) is not required. We seek folks who have ideas and energy to devote to our greatest renewable resource—our youth. We literally could not do all that we do without you! Contact Cathy Carmen, committee chair (338-8984) or our Elementary Program Specialist, Karen Raese (658-1710) for details.

Travel the World with Summer RE

Cathy Carmen

The RE Committee is knee-deep in planning for our Summer RE program that runs from mid-June through early September. We offer nursery care for our very youngest (birth—4 yrs.) and hold a multi-aged class for youth 5 — 10 yrs. Older youth are invited to attend our single, lay-lead service every week. This year we have a curriculum entitled UU World Travelers that will take our youth off to a different country every week. Our tour guides for this will be well-traveled adult members/friends of our Fellowship who are interested in working with our kids on a one-time or short term basis. Youth will explore various countries through song, dance, food, games and creative activities. If all this sounds interesting and you'd like to take part in the fun as a volunteer guide/teacher, please contact Cathy Carmen (338-8984). Be sure to check the Order of Services throughout May for details.

Summer Nursery Care Needs ...You!

Cathy Carmen

During the summer months, mid-June through early September, the Fellowship offers a single, 10am, lay-lead service for UU members and friends. The care of the very youngest among us is available only if we have volunteers to staff the nursery every week. If you are interested, please sign the clipboard residing in the North foyer during the month of May. See Cathy Carmen (338-8984) or Karen Raese (658-1710) for details.

In Appreciation of BUUF Board Members

Thank you for giving a portion of your life to BUUF.
Thank you for being both a leader and a follower.
Thank you for your willingness, your ideas, your actions and your compromises.
Thanks you for sharing your heart and your passions.
Thank you for being a peacemaker.
Thank you for giving of your time, for sharing your concern and for your commitment to working together as a team.
How lucky we are to have you as a
BUUF Board Member.
Where would we be without you?

Love ya,
Wanda
April 19, 2007

Pastoral Care Report

Barry Hope

Nothing beats a good bout of laughter for stress relief. Our minister Elizabeth Greene's yearly sermons on humor are a case in point. She is such a valuable person on the BUUF Pastoral Care Team. Her breadth of vision is tantamount to the team's success. If one has the discipline to enter a venue of humor; psychological health will surely prevail. It just works.

Seasonally we're still being bombarded by changes of weather, hey will the real thermometer please stand up? In the March PCT meeting Joan Bellamy presented an in-service on peer helping.

Using the "Peer Helpers Pocket Book" as a guide she has agreed to continue this very educational in-service as an ongoing project for PCT. Each section presented will augment PCT's continuing education. Thanks Joan for your valuable presence.

So poignant is the massacre at Virginia Tech. It reminds us of the value and fragility of human life. With perhaps all eternity to exist in other forms, the value of our existence give or take a hundred years on planet earth becomes exponential. Your gemstone is perfectly faceted whether you realize it or not. May we value every precious moment of our lives.

Self expression (within reason) is a healing experience; call a PCT member, we can listen and empathize. Use the PCT drop box for a concern (PCT membership changes there's a different synchronicity every year). Talk to other folks within the fellowship or write a thought in the book of passages, your religion of choice wants to hear from you.

This is some enchanted lifetime, laugh as heartily as possible as often as possible!

Sabbatical Handbook in Development

In nine month's time our minister of nearly 20 years, Elizabeth Greene, will be going on a well deserved Sabbatical. Her sabbatical starts January 17, 2008 and continues until August 1, 2008. This will be an opportunity for all of us to rise and shine! And shine we will! During Elizabeth's 1995 Sabbatical the leadership and strength of the entire congregation was such that we were able to purchase the property that BUUF now calls home.

The Sabbatical Task Force is currently working out the myriad details that will assure that our BUUF community not only maintains its vitality but flourishes in Elizabeth's absence. Committees and leadership are working together to identify how they will proceed during the Sabbatical. Is extra training necessary for groups to function without Elizabeth? Are additional members needed on committees? What other resources are required to continue our excellent programming and support to our congregants? How do we maintain the high quality of Sunday worship services? Who will supervise the staff? How will we celebrate Elizabeth's return to the pulpit? These are a few of the issues we are discussing. What are your questions and concerns? The BUUF 2008 Sabbatical Handbook will be available late this summer.

The Sabbatical task force members include representatives from many of BUUF's committees. They are Kit Brown, Elaine Durbin, David Fitch, Elizabeth Greene, Gail Haldeman, Elton Hall, Karen Raese and chairwoman, Debra Smith. We know that communication with the congregation is vital. Please feel free to contact us.

Mészkõ Partner Church News

Cynthia Alleman

Our hearts and monthly meetings are full with celebration. We are celebrating the birth of a new baby, Matyas Balint, the son of Mészkõ's minister, Robert Balint, and his wife, Reka. Matyas was born March 20, 2007 and weighed over seven pounds.

Another cause for celebration is the one woman reading of "Letters from Christine", arranged by Gwyn Reid and performed by Deb Smith. Christine Morgan wrote of difficult times as she and her husband, Ferenc Balasz, lived their Unitarian lives practicing social justice in 1930 Mészkõ. Deb performed "Letters from Christine" at the AGM in Boise in February. "Letters" was very touching and Deb has been asked to present it again at the GA in Portland this June.

Boise pilgrims traveling to Mészkõ this summer, plane tickets in hand, are Bill and Gwyn Reid, Rick and Becky Groff and Cynthia Alleman. We leave for Hungary and Transylvania, June 29. We are honored to learn that Robert's official installation as minister will be the weekend that we are in Mészkõ. Robert emailed,, "...since we are so bound, and that the two congregations are so close, with so many common plans and fulfillments, it would be appropriate to celebrate together...your place is here..."

These connections are a result of the caring of our entire BUUF congregation!

Closer to home, on Sunday, June 3, we will have our annual bridging ceremony celebrating our unique Transylvanian bridge and 14 years of our partnership with Mészkõ. You are invited to join us every second Tuesday of the month in the BUUF library at 4:30pm.

May Outreach Goes Green

Julie Fanselow

The official Earth Day may have been last month, but BUUF is moving toward a time when every day is Earth Day. In that spirit, this month's social action outreach offering will benefit two "green" causes.

The first $100 collected will be used to buy a congregational membership in UU Ministry for the Earth, which will help us connect with other congregations that are pursuing Green Sanctuary status. The rest of this month's offering will benefit the Boise chapter of the Cool Cities project, a Sierra Club initiative aimed at fighting global warming "one city at a time." Cool Cities are ones whose leaders—including Boise mayor Dave Bieter - have made a commitment to stopping global warming by signing the U.S. Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement.

For more information on the Cool Cities campaign, see www.coolcities.us. For a report on the April 14 Step It Up! Event to cut carbon emissions, (an event led by BUUFers Greg Otero, Joanie Bear, and Sue Philley), see http://events.stepitup2007.org/reports/379.

Late last month, a BUUF social justice summit was held as a way to start better organizing the many components of our congregation's social justice efforts, including the Social Action Team, Green Sanctuary, Welcoming Congregation, Religious Education, fair-trade sales, and others. We hope to help create more connections and synergies among these various projects and with our congregational life as a whole. Watch for more news on that in the future.

Have you ever wondered whether your favorite justice organization could be the recipient of BUUF's monthly social action outreach offerings? If you'd like to nominate a cause for consideration, write a brief letter about the group and what it does, and give it to social justice chair Rick Groff (or email him at ).

Green Factoid

David Woito

Factoid from the Green Sanctuary Team: What exactly will you "save" by using just one Compact Fluorescent Bulb? A single CFB will save approximately the following: 350 pounds of coal, 500 pounds of greenhouse gases, 16 pounds of acid rain production emissions, OR 25 milligrams of plutonium waste if your energy source is nuclear. Overall, the environmental benefits from relying on 5 compact fluorescent bulbs in every home in the United States would be equivalent to decommissioning 20 fossil fuel burning power plants, or removing more than 8 million cars from the road. (US EPA, 2004)

Conserve Water and Enjoy a Mimosa with the Green Sanctuary Committee!

At our pot luck on Sunday, June 3, the Green Sanctuary committee will be serving up Free Mimosas. Why... because we want you to visit us and give us your input. As part of the process of becoming a certified Green Sanctuary, BUUF is required to perform several activities, and must get guidance from the congregation on what these activities will be. These actions are divided up into four main categories, and they are: Worship and Celebration; Religious Education; Environmental Justice and Sustainable Living.

As a committee, we have come up with several ideas within each group, but now it's time to hear what the rest of you think. And if you really care about any one, or more, of the issues we present, we can always use additional volunteers - even on a part time or limited basis.

So please, stop by and give us your opinion, and enjoy a delicious Mimosa... which will hopefully be made using organic orange juice and, if possible, locally bottled champagne. Thank you for caring.

Green Sanctuary Survey Results

Thank you everyone for contributing to the first BUUF Environmental Survey three weeks ago. It appears that as a congregation we are in quite good shape on recycling (88% do), insulation (77% know they have attic insulation), keeping our houses at the environmental edge of the comfort zone (average 66% in the winter and 75% in the summer). 85% have started using compact fluorescent bulbs! Congratulations to everyone. It also appears that we have a good start on growing our own food (57%), turning off computers and appliances (52%), low flow shower heads (50%), investing in socially responsible funds (50%). Keep up the good work.

Our next challenge is to improve our usage of public (16%) and alternative transportation (25%-30%), use our own or recycled shopping bags (32%), buy fair trade coffee (32%), begin composting (34%), reduce our junk mail (85% get a lot) and to improve the fuel efficiency of our cars. We had 110 cars represented with only 1 hybrid and only 34 (31%) above 30 mpg. Continue to look for opportunities here to do your part. For the full results, take a look at the chart in the South Vestibule. See if you can find one category to work on and do something different in the next month. Thanks again for your participation. Go Green!

Fair Trade Oriental Rug Event

Ten Thousand Villages will be hosting a special Oriental Rug Event featuring a collection of over 300 heirloom quality, hand-knotted Oriental rugs from Pakistan.

Wed. May 16- Sat. May 19, 2007, 10am-9pm

These rugs are exquisitely designed and crafted by adult artisans in Pakistan who have been paid fair wages for their work.

Learn how oriental rugs are made at a free INTRODUCTION TO ORIENTAL RUG SEMINAR

Thurs. May 17, 7:00-8:00pm
Seating is limited so call 333-0535 for reservations
Ten Thousand Villages
1609 N. 13th Street in Historic Hyde Park

Get a sneak peak online— www.rugs.tenthousandvillages.com

Visit the rug website for a preview of the type of rugs coming to our store. Read about the artisans who make them and the difference that fair trade makes in their lives.

Fair Trade rug making brings Christians and Muslims together in Pakistan, provides income for women, and helps provide education for young girls.

Last Chance and Thank You

The BUUF Book Nook will operate on Sundays through May. Then it will close its doors for summer. So the next few weeks are your last chance to peruse and buy great UU books for adults and children at the Book Nook. (Of course, we'll reopen at the beginning of the church year in September.)

Thank you to all the loyal readers who have made the Book Nook's first season a success! It has served our congregation and raised additional funds for BUUF, thanks to your support.

"Are you ready to join?"

Sunday, May 6 is Joining Sunday. If you have taken the "New UU" class and have decided that you are ready to become a member of the Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship please contact Mike Chambers of the Membership Committee (323-9486 or .

If you are new to Unitarian Universalism or if you are transferring from another UU church we invite you to take the "New UU" class. We offer the class several times during the year. You'll learn about our fellowship and our faith tradition while meeting others who may be at a similar stage in their spiritual journeys. Please contact Jay Wechselberger ( ) or Debbie Espen ( ) for more details.

If you have any questions about membership and its benefits, please contact any of us on the Membership Committee. We welcome you!

Spring Book Sale

Stock up on books for your summer reading at the Library Committee's sale on Saturday, June 2, form 9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m. We've had a variety of great books donated by our congregation for your enjoyment. The book sale is a fundraiser enabling our committee to purchase more volumes for our library's shelves. If you have books to donate, please bring them to the library. If you can help out at the sale or with publicity before the sale, please contact Janet Wyke at 939-3853 or .

Unitarians in Boise 100 Years Ago

History Keepers

Did you know that, 100 years ago, Unitarians in Boise were buying a building and paying a minister?

The building was bought with a loan from the UA office in Boston, and the minister was John Mitchell, sent by the U.A. in Boston as a missionary to faraway Boise, Idaho. Other ministers came for brief intervals.

Then, during the Great Depression in the 1930s, the little congregation had to give up their minister and building. How they survived, as a Unitarian group, will be featured in future newsletters.

New Books Meeting

The Library Committee will be meeting on the evening of May 16 at 7:00 p.m. in the Library to select new books. We would like to have members and friends meet with us to give suggestions for new books. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please put your suggestions in the Library Committee mailbox. Include the title, author's name and a short description of the book's subject. Through our budgeted funds and money from book sales, we are building up our library with current informational and interesting volumes for the use of our BUUF readers. Our committee would be glad to have as many people as possible take part in the selection process.

Elevator Speeches

Journaling Your Way To Clarity

In an Adult Religious Education class in spring, 2006, members wrote their "elevator speeches," in response to the following hypothetical situation: if a person gets on an elevator with you, notices your flaming chalice pin, asks about it, and you only have a few floors to explain the Unitarian Universalist faith, what do you say?

Elevator Speech—Gail Haldeman

Being a Unitarian Universalist gives me a chance to join together with other spiritual seekers who don't like to be told what they should believe. I find that it provides me the inspiration I seem to need in order to strive to live deliberately and intentionally—basically to "walk the talk." Humans are social creatures who need a sense of community, and I think the opportunity to be part of a community that celebrates diversity, as well as freedom of thought and belief, while also striving for social justice, is phenomenal.

For those who find comfort in a certain level of ceremony and tradition, our Sunday services are pretty balanced. Being a UU also offers access to information by offering classes on various religious and individually spiritual topics, as well as information on things we can do to make a difference locally, nationally, and even globally.

Basically, unless you were raised a UU, it's not the church you grew up in.

Senior Sages

Tom von Alten

Join BUUF members and friends for a no-host breakfast at the Kopper Kitchen (2661 Airport Way) at 9:30am every 2nd and 4th Thursday for lively conversation and presentations. On May 10, Jeanette Ross and Nancy Harms will present "Call it Heresy?" with voices from Antigone, to St. Joan, to the present. On May 24, BUUF member and General Manager of Boise State Radio, John Hess, will discuss the challenges of "localism" in the media, and how public radio might direct reporting resources to provide a more in-depth experience for listeners. Contact Tom von Alten at 378-1217 or for more information.

News from the Other Book Club

The Other Book club welcomes you to their next meeting on May 20 at 7pm to discuss the novel by Anthony Doerr, About Grace. The meeting is at the home of Benita Coleman, 8169 W. Beckton Lane. Call 375-9082 for directions or to RSVP.

Do You Know Your Last Rights?

Tom von Alten

Thirty-five years ago, BUUF members were instrumental in founding the Idaho Memorial Association, dedicated to protecting us in our ability to chose simple, dignified, and economical funeral arrangements. The IMA is now the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Idaho, affiliated with the national Funeral Consumers Alliance, and a network of organizations across the country.

We're pleased to have the Executive Director of the FCA, Josh Slocum, coming to Boise as our special guest this year, and to have our meeting hosted at the Fellowship. You're warmly invited to join us 10am, Saturday May 12, at BUUF, for the FCAI's 35th Annual Meeting and Josh's presentation.

Find out how your Federal Trade Commission protects your rights in funeral transactions, how to avoid expensive sales pitches, how to plan for your survivors without locking your money up in risky, prepaid funeral plans, and how to return to the traditional American funeral—a simple, family-directed affair.

Slocum is a widely cited expert in funeral law and consumer rights. He's been quoted in The New York Times, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and other media. He has appeared on the CBS Early Show, and is the author of a feature article on funeral fraud in Consumers Digest Magazine. Contact FCAI President Tom von Alten at 378-1217, or visit the FCAI website, at fcai.fortboise.org for more information.

UU Camp LaForet

Carbondale, Colorado, July 29—Aug. 4

Did you ever think about going to a UU summer camp or spending a week in Colorado during the summer? Why not combine the two and come to Camp LaForet in Carbondale, Colorado? Located at the foot of Mt. Sopris between the hot springs in Glenwood Springs and the music festival in Aspen, Camp LaForet has activities for all: workshops and support groups for adults, a children's program led by experts, and a special haven for teens and young adults. Workshops may include music, massage, yoga, poetry, drama, mindfulness, nutrition, dance, meditation, and more. Afternoons are free for hiking, rafting, trips to surrounding areas, massage, games, and the gifts you bring to share. Evenings feature such activities as Dances of Universal Peace, talent night, and the Friday Night Party. Of course, there will be plenty of time to see old and new friends and just hang out, too. Come join in the fun! We'll be celebrating Camp LaForet's 50th anniversary in 2008!

Please explore our website for more information and registration.

Religion and the Environment

World-Renowned Scholar to Speak

Martin Marty, Fairfax M. Cone Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago, will present "Everyone Gets In On the Act: Connecting Faiths and the Environment," at Boise State University, 7 p.m., on May 10. The event in the Jordan Ballroom of the Student Union Building is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30.

Marty is the author of more than 50 books, including The Protestant Voice in American Pluralism, and Righteous Empire, for which he won the National Book Award. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the National Humanities Medal, and has served on two U.S. presidential commissions. He was the director of the Fundamentalism Project of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and of the Public Religion Project at the University of Chicago. His lecture is sponsored by the Arts and Humanities Residential College, the Idaho Humanities Council, and the Idaho Conservation League.

For more information, contact Boise State assistant history professor Lisa Brady at 426-4309.

Congregational Openness Leads to Greater Diversity

Rae Ann DeVargas is a longtime Unitarian Universalist who also loves her Hispanic and Roman Catholic heritage. For years she'd thought about how nice it would be to share some of that heritage with the members of her church, All Souls UU in Kansas City, Mo. (517 members). Her minister, the Rev. Jim Eller, heard that she wanted to present the Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a commemoration of the appearance of the Virgin Mary to a Mexican man in 1531, and he encouraged her to do it.

That's how on Sunday morning, December 3, All Souls was transformed by two presentations of the Celebration of Our Lady, one of the most important days of the year to many Roman Catholics in North America and elsewhere. The services were complete with mariachis, dancers, and drumming. "The church was packed," says DeVargas. "The reception was very positive." The services included the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and a prayer written by farmworker activist Cesar Chavez.

Taking part in the service was the Rev. Patricia Jimenez, a UU community minister from Minneapolis and the chair of LUUNA (Latino/Latina UU Networking Association).

Jimenez would like to see more such celebrations by UU congregations. That would go a long way, she said, toward making people of different cultures feel welcome in our midst and would broaden our own horizons.

"There will be some, in many cultures, who will respond to our message," says Jimenez. "We need to be asking the question of who is in the room with us." She adds: "There may be people who are made uncomfortable by things we do. Some might feel excluded by the readings we select or the music we sing. Be open to change. When you choose a piece of music or a reading think about doing some education around it."

Get to know people, she says. Ask people, respectfully, about themselves. "These conversations have to take place in every single committee meeting, every staff meeting, and in worship. We need to remind ourselves that there are differences among us." She notes that at times, if we are intentional about making our congregations multicultural, we need to be willing to hear Christian language, especially around holidays or celebrations.

The UUs of Clearwater, Florida, a congregation of 338 members, puts a lot of effort into being welcoming to everyone. The Rev. Abhi Janamanchi estimates at least 10 percent of the congregation is of color. He attributes that to the following factors: the congregation's participation in antiracism and antioppression programs like the UUA's Journey Toward Wholeness, its intentionality about including people of color in all aspects of congregational life, and the congregation's visibility in the community in support of social justice for farm workers and others.

Janamanchi, who is of Indian descent, says it helps that visitors can see that he is a person of color who is comfortable in his religion. And it is helpful that members are not afraid to make mistakes, he says. "There have been situations when individuals without realizing it have made comments that were perceived as inappropriate or racist. Rather than take umbrage people have sat down and talked it through. We seem to be developing a permission-giving culture here."

Resources

Find resources for congregations wanting to engage in antiracist, antioppression, and multicultural endeavors at uua.org in the Leaders area. More information is at the website for UU Allies for Racial Equity. Contact Jimenez at . Materials used in the Kansas City service are available from Jane Gilbreath: . DRUUMM (Diverse and Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries is a resource for people of color. UUs for Jewish Awareness can offer advice about ways of being inclusive.

[This article was reprinted from InterConnections, Vol. X Issue 2, Spring 2007, page4.]

Weaving

Like a thread in the tapestry that is BUUF, Jennifer has been woven into the very fabric of our lives, braiding the minds and hearts of our children as they grow, knitting them with a texture of love and compassion.

Jennifer has stitched us together, bound up our edges, intertwined our hearts with hers, making us all complete and whole.

Thank you, Jennifer, for leaving us enveloped in a cozy comforter of remembrances of you!

Wanda Jennings
April 19, 2007

Michael Durall Here This Weekend! (May 5-6)

Michael Durall, a parish consultant and the author of four books about congregational life, will visit BUUF on the weekend of May 5-6. to help us determine what the future of BUUF might hold. How can we create a more just and humane world, and how do we use the resources at our command to accomplish this?

On Saturday, May 5, he will host four separate sessions. All church members are encouraged to attend at least one. No sign-up is required. The sessions include:

On May 6, Mike will be in the pulpit for Commitment Sunday. If any of you have attended Mike's programs at General Assembly, you know he is not a "sit and listen" presenter, but puts people to work and throws out heresies from time to time, to keep things interesting!