BUUF News – April 2008

Contents

EverGreene

Reverend Elizabeth Greene is on Sabbatical until the fall. She will return to the office August 1 and to the pulpit Sunday, September 7.

Editor's Note

From A Grateful Editor

I want to give a big thank you to David Clopton for doing such a great job with last month's newsletter.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Em-bracing the Journey

Emmie Schlobohm, Board President

Ours is a truly participatory religion! We can be Unitarian Universalists together at BUUF and out in the greater community in so many ways. There are boundless opportunities here to be a vital part of this beloved community.

Have you been to a Dialogue with the Board? It's just one of your opportunities to find out what's going on and to have your voice be heard. And it's our opportunity to hear what you have to say and to be more plugged in and attuned to the congregation. We've got two more scheduled for April 27 after each service.

Have you attended one of the stewardship house parties? Not only have there been dynamic and insightful conversations, but the food has also been enough to knock your socks off! Put your name down on the sign up sheets in the north vestibule before time runs out for this round of parties! And watch for announcements about our big celebration at the end of the annual pledge drive - it's going to be one Happy Hoopla!

And there's more! The Board has approved the creation of a Kitchen Task Force and has asked Dale Winke to be the chairperson. Please contact him if you would like to join in on these important decisions. He'll be looking for task force members and for those that would just like to give him their input.

With all the opportunities to participate, find you path and passion and join with me on this wonderful journey!

Highlights from the Board

At its regular meeting on March 20, the Board of Directors:

• Voted to recommend changes in BUUF's by-laws to the congregation (watch for details)
• Approved a Social Justice Empowerment workshop as part of BUUF's Strategic Plan objectives (to be offered within the next liturgical year)
• Reviewed the conversations at the recent Dialogue with the Board meetings, which focused on a BUUF logo (more congregational discussion to come)
• Approved creation of a Kitchen Remodel Task Force and appointed Dale Winke as chair
• Acknowledged with gratitude the virtual completion of the new sanctuary sound system and approved an upgrade of the method of recording services digitally.

"BUUF Works!" Celebration Set for May 4

The BUUF congregation will join together on Sunday, May 4, immediately after the 10 am Sunday service, to celebrate the conclusion of our 2008-09 operating budget drive. The celebration (re-scheduled from April 26) will include lively music, food, and activities for all ages. We will announce the results of the drive and the great things we can accomplish in the coming year because of your generosity.

"How can I help?"

Please be sure to return your annual pledge form to BUUF as soon as possible and give a gift that both brings you joy and you feel confident you can fulfill. Your pledge enables us to plan BUUF's activities and programs for the 2008 - 2009 year. It's important that we receive a response from everyone for several reasons:

- We are very eager this year to obtain pledges from all members and friends to spread broadly the responsibility of maintaining our community. Even small pledges demonstrate our collective commitment to the future of our Fellowship.

 - If we don't hear anything from you, many of us have to spend time on the phone to see if there's a problem ("Did you receive a pledge packet?", "Do we have the right address?", "Are you still interested in supporting BUUF?"). We would rather spend time planning our celebration.

Mail pledges to BUUF or leave place them in the "drop box" on the desk of Gerry Morris, BUUF's Office Manager. Additional pledge packets are available beside the drop box. If you have any questions, please call or e-mail me: Betsy Dunklin, Chair, Stewardship Committee, 336-8201 or .

New on the Reference Shelf—Robert's Rules of Order

Our REFERENCE shelf now has the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order. We hope this will be useful for our Board, committees, and others who are conveners of meetings at the Fellowship. We have a lovely new book called The Millennium Time Tapestry which combines art and history. It was donated by Megan and Laurie Deines and can be found on our ART shelf. Also from our REFERENCE shelf, we have two items of interest for April from This Day In UU History: The Unitarian, Hans Christian Anderson was born on April 2, 1805 in Odense, Denmark; and William Ellery Channing, "the father of American Unitarianism," was born on April 7, 1780. He was a minister at the Arlington Street Church in Boston. The church still uses his former pulpit.

RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION

Exploration in the North Wing

Cathy Carmen, Co-Director of Religious Education

Yes, it is spring, finally, and I know adults and children alike will be anxious to spend time outside, exploring our wonderful grounds. Take the time to do so together. We have amazing property but adult supervision is necessary.

Many RE class sessions on the elementary side are exploring our seventh principle - the interdependent web of life. The preschool class is looking for signs of spring - leaves, flowers and birds. Soon they'll be enjoying the children's play area and fabulous play house! Speaking of the playhouse, we're looking for families or individuals to open and lock the playhouse on Sundays. Please see one of the Directors of Religious Education about this fun opportunity.

The first, second and third graders, in preparation for the Earth Day fair, explored pumpkins and squashes that were grown on our property last summer in Jeremiah's Adventure Garden. The class harvested the seeds and will package them for distribution on April 20. The fourth, fifth and sixth graders are also exploring the concept that all living things are interconnected and interdependent. Appropriately enough, some classes have explored potatoes, learning about Luther Burbank, a UU who developed the most common type of potato grown in Idaho! This class will also get a chance to create their annual addition to the BUUF Walk Through Time project. Happy Spring!

Mirror, Mirror—Stewardship Project for Children

Karen Raese, Co Director of Religious Education

Mark your calendars! On Sunday, April 6 and 13, children, with an adult present, may "check out" a mirror to decorate for our Children's Stewardship Project. These specially framed wooden mirrors will be provided at not cost. When a mirror is checked out, families agree to return the decorated mirror to the DREs by April 27 so that it may be readied for silent auction on May 4—a single service at 10:00. The mirrors may be decorated in any manner. Suggestions and tips will be provided at check out. Children will vote on what cause will receive the money raised from their stewardship project. This year we have about 40 mirrors available so hurry to get yours and happy decorating!

Children's Dedication

Karen Raese, Co Director of Religious Education

Children are an important part of our congregation. Unitarian Universalists believe that each child brings new life and hope into the world and we include a special ceremony to dedicate children during a Sunday service. If you would like to have your child(ren) dedicated please note that April 27 is the next scheduled date. The Rev. Margaret Keip, our fabulous, once a month visiting minister will be performing the dedication. For more information, or to indicate your interest, please contact Karen Raese, Co Director of Religious Education at 658-1710 by April 20.

Graduating Seniors—Hooray!

Cathy Carmen, Co-DRE

Our Fellowship would like to extend our congratulations to our graduating seniors. We have seven of our youth making the transition to young adulthood and they are: Logan Chambers, Anna Cheyney, Lizzy Duffy, Mary Hope, Tyler McFarlane, Ole Morledge and Abbott Pinkerton. Some of these youth will participate in our Bridging Ceremony on April 27. Don't miss it!

Summer RE Coordinator Needed

Summer brings a different look to Religious Education for children currently in kindergarten —sixth grade. Starting June 8, these children meet together and will enjoy a curriculum based on Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories. The Religious Education program is looking for an individual to hire to coordinate this program. The coordinator's primary responsibilities include scheduling and confirming volunteers, obtaining necessary class supplies and facilitating the chalice lighting and opening ritual for each Sunday during the summer. If you are interested in learning more about this position, please contact Karen Raese or Cathy Carmen, Co Directors of Religious Education, at 658-1710 by May 1.

Welcome New Committee Members

Angie Tate

The Children's Religious Exploration Committee members, Cathy Carmen, Laurie Deines, Gena Delucchi, Barbara Morledge, Karen Raese, Amber Stigile and Angie Tate welcome the following new committee members:

Parker Butler

Liz Owen Brune

Ann Sabin

Lisa Smith

With this year's addition of a second children's program, our new members will help coordinate the children's Sunday program and assist with all the fun events our committee sponsors. We are grateful these new members have stepped up to serve! We welcome more members. If interested please call Angie at 336-0738. What a great group we have!

COMMITTEES

Congregational Care Team Report

Barry Hope

The light cometh. Sometimes it seems that winter lasts too long! Was this one extra bleak? But, really, who can deny the beauty in the seasons? They ignite our minds' passions. Within the darkest drear or the most humid rain forest, we find sustenance.

Travel to and from BUUF has become an important issue for our congregation. In lieu of having an official vehicle for pick up and delivery, we are in need of a point person (dispatcher if you will) to head up this helpful endeavor. If you or someone you know may be able to do this, please get in contact! At present coordinating rides to and from the Fellowship has not been problematic. It's been an honor for CCT to do, but by its own merit it stands by itself. Individuals taking on this responsibility may well be subject to accolades and much gratitude.

The CCT has gained some great new members. We thank them heartily for their promise of expertise and dedication through 2008. It's the commitment of the members of CCT that makes this group such a valuable entity within our fellowship.

If you're feeling a need for conference or a comforting presence, call a member of the team. The BUUF Congregational Care Team poster is located on the wall across from Gerry's desk in the BUUF office. There's also a request for assistance drop box for any concerns you may want to convey.

A movement is afoot within CCT to find a more appropriate way to address individuals with pertinent needs. Charity, despite the challenge of an unconditional love, can be perplexing. Cognition and love will fuel a workable solution. Please stay tuned for this Machiavellian masterpiece.

Spring comes replete with its promise and vision. Hold close meaning and purpose as we journey toward this promise of brightness!

Partner Church News

It is Easter time in Transylvania. Our Partner Church celebrates for 4 days! There is a Good Friday service in the cold church. Saturday is spent preparing food, dyeing eggs in red onion skin dye, making small cakes, and celebrating. The Sunday service includes communion which is served first to the men while the women chant a hymn and then to the women while the men sing to them. The communion takers gather in a circle with honored guest first then the oldest members to the youngest. Everyone knows their place. The bread is passed and the consecrated wine shared from the same cup. The meal is served all afternoon long. There are many wonderful courses including lamb, slaughtered the day before. On Monday the men call on the women of the village. They are dressed nicely and carry perfume in their pocket. When they call they ask if they can "water the wilted flower" They then will spray perfume on your head and kiss both cheeks. The women then give them the dyed eggs and cakes. Then there is more food and celebration.

Our partner church relationship has brought such rich cultural insight to us. Thank you to all who supported the December social service collection, the money will be sent to Meszko to continue the restoration of the parsonage and support efforts to continue the teachings of Ferenc Balazs.

Fesztival is going to be Saturday September 20. Planning begins on Tuesday April 8 at 7:00. We will need lots of help to make this a wonderful celebration. Please join the planning session or contact Gwyn Reid or Claudia Farnsworth to volunteer. There are jobs big and small.

Support a Pilgrim

You can take part in an opportunity to send me, Will Smith, to Transylvania this summer. This will be the first time that a young member of the Fellowship will travel to Meszko and Kolosvar. I will be spending some time in Budapest with friends of ours, too. But I need your help. And I will return the favor in a special way. First the help: for your donation of $20.00 you can "buy a share of a pilgrim." Then, when I return from my pilgrimage, you will receive a publication containing my reflections, interviews, sketches and photos, and poetry. I also plan to cut a C.D. with some musicians from Budapest. You will receive along with the publication a demo of my recordings including a song written about the trip called "Bridges" and is written about the connections that can bring our Fellowship together with the rest of the world. Thank you very much for your support. I will be selling stock certificates at church, or you can email me at .

Chancel Makeover Meeting

The Interior's Committee is hosting an open forum to discuss the Chancel area on Sunday April 6. We will start at noon. Grab some potluck and join us in the Peter Raible (5th/6th Grade) Room. We will provide some dessert goodies. Bring your ideas, visions.

If you can't make the meeting we still want to hear from you. Email any ideas/thoughts to Erin at .

Vestibule Space

If your committee would like to use the Vestibules to promote a project, you can sign up for space on the clipboard located in the literature rack by Gerry's desk. Please make sure your table is manned and that traffic is allowed to flow smoothly through the vestibule.

Changes at the Book Nook

Kathy Hall is joined by Janet Wyke as co-chairs of the Book Nook. Janet has been working heartily for BUUF's own bookstore, and she happily steps up to share responsibility for the operation. Welcome to the work of the Book Nook, Janet!

But the Book Nook still needs volunteers to help sell books between services and after the second service on Sundays. Staffing the Book Nook is an excellent way to renew acquaintances and meet new people as they peruse its offerings. If you would like to help out, contact Kathy Hall at 323-1618 or .

In addition to UU books and children's books with inspiring messages and lessons, the Book Nook now offers handmade chalices for personal use. Their size makes them ideal for individuals, small groups, committees, and children learning to participate in this significant UU ritual. Check out the selection of chalices at the Book Nook.

House Parties Bring Us Together

Chip Cole

This Spring, dozens of BUUF members and friends have participated in house parties—small, informal gatherings in members' homes—where we talk about our experiences at the Fellowship, ideas for BUUF's future, and ways we can generate the resources to realize our vision. This is a new effort sponsored by the Stewardship Committee to inspire a sense of abundance, create confidence in our ability to do great things, and learn how to improve our operating budget campaigns. I attended a wonderful party at Erin Logan and Bob Smith's home on St. Patrick's Day and met several BUUF newcomers who talked about their first visits to our Fellowship. Fueled by Irish coffee and chocolate cake, I was reminded of my first experiences with BUUF 17 years ago as I heard what it's like to be a "newbie" at BUUF, and I came away with ideas for changes. Each party is unique, according to reports from facilitators, full of fellowship, energy, ideas and great hospitality.

We will continue to schedule house parties through the end of April. To sign up, look for me in one of the vestibules after each service, and please RSVP when you receive an invitation so our hosts know to expect you. Thank you to the many gracious hosts who have opened their homes to make this possible.

Spring and Plant Care at BUUF

Flower season is coming! So many different groups use our facilities that we'd like to pass along these gentle reminders to reduce the work of volunteers who care for the plants and flowers inside the building:

~ Feel free to move indoor plants but handle them gently and return them to their original location.

~ If you drape large plants with lights please remove them immediately after your event.

~ Do not place things (especially valuables and electronics) around the plant or on the floor next to plants.

~ If you donate flowers for an event or a Sunday service, please take them home immediately afterward.

~ Fresh flowers are a lovely addition to any event, but please make sure they have plenty of water, remove them a few days later, and take the vase home.

~ Unfortunately, we have little use for donated houseplants. If you have a unique situation, please contact the Interiors Committee (Erin Logan, Chair, at or 208-336-4960), but please, no anonymous donations!

Many thanks for your helping us care for our plants AND our volunteers' time.

Earth Day and Volunteer Fair

Celebrate Spring at the Earth Day and Volunteer Fair Sunday April 20. BUUF Committees, Chalice Circles, and Groups are asked to sign up for a table to showcase current activities and future volunteer needs after both services on Sunday, April 20, at the Spring Earth Day and Volunteer Fair which will be held outside as the weather permits. Learn about new ways you can save the earth AND be more involved at BUUF! RE Classes are invited to reserve a table and showcase a fun or special Earth Day exhibit or activity.

For questions or assistance with ideas, please contact Sue (below). This FUN educational community-building event is hosted by the Leadership Council and the Green Sanctuary Committee. A few strong people are needed to help set up tables at 8:30 a.m. Reserve a table, indicate your interest in participating, or offer to help set up by contacting Sue Philley 208-340-9450 or Wanda Jennings 208-362-7563 .

Social Action

Interconnected Web

Ole Morledge

The truth is our lives are full of many responsibilities. We must go to school, go to work. We must remember to get dressed in the mornings, (this one comes pretty easily), but the reports due next week seem to slip from our minds. Needless to say, it's not surprising that we forget the small things. We are so engrossed with what's going on in our own little world that we forget to look beyond the horizon to the lives of others. No matter who we are, we need to remember that we share this world. We need to remember that be they big, or be they small, we need to look down (or sometimes up) to make sure that everyone else has somewhere to stay, a meal to eat, or even a shoulder to cry on. Let's take the time to remember that every man and every creature on this earth is trying just as hard as we are. And if we all lend a hand to those in need, then we know that another will be out there waiting to help us.

During the month of April 25% of the non-pledged plate offering will go to Animals in Distress. Write "Outreach" on the memo of your check and 100% will go to Animals in Distress.

Animals In Distress Association, Inc. (AIDA) is a non profit volunteer organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and successful release of injured, displaced and orphaned wildlife. AIDA operates the Ruth Melichar Bird Center to tend to and feed birds each summer.

Join the BUUF Team for Paint the Town

The annual Paint the Town project will be held on Saturday, June 7 this year. It would be great if BUUF could field a team of 20 helpers for this very worthwhile community effort. The project is dedicated to painting the homes of senior citizens, people of modest means, and disabled folks. If you are interested in being part of our team, please contact Gary Wyke at 939-3853 or .

BUUF Activities and Events

Humanist Discussions and Topics

Adjust the old joke about those jolly UU discussion groups around the corner from (and just outside) the gates of heaven. BUUF's humanists have their own table, and lately we've been adding chairs. For March, 14 took turns (imagine!) contributing a personal definition of ‘sin.' As is appropriate for a postmodern collect, we did not oblige each other to accept a common definition.

We can obey an embedded ethic, however. In keeping with Zoroastrian standards for Good (plan ahead, honor a group covenant) we have committed to the following faith-related topics for the rest of the church year:

April: discuss blessings and grace

May: guilt and shame

June: soul, spirit, the spiritual

July: fate, luck, predicting the future

There's no shame in being spontaneous, of course. Show up anytime. We meet in the Stowe room during 2nd services on the 2nd Sunday of each month. For information contact Rick Groff or Jeanette Ross. We're in the book.

Q-U-U-ilters

Did you notice the beautiful quilt at the front of the sanctuary in February? Wouldn't you like to create other great quilts with fellow BUUF members and friends? Join the Q-U-U-ilters and get to know some of BUUF's creative people while learning new sewing and quilting techniques. We welcome people at all levels of sewing experience—novice to expert. Call Harriet at 371-3634 or e-mail her at to find out about upcoming meetings.

Sage Finance

Tom von Alten

Inspired by the practical genius of Muhammad Yunus, winner of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for pioneering the concept of micro-finance in Bangladesh, two local pastors, Rev. Betty Beck and Rev. Betty Luginbill are exploring the possibility of building microlending programs here. The model of Yunus' Grameen Bank redefines what it means to be "creditworthy," with a way to build trust and overcome poverty. Rev. Beck is our guest on Thursday, April 10.

On April 24, we'll learn more about our country's broken immigration system while we vie for valuable prizes as we play the Immigration Game. Leo Morales of the Idaho Community Action Network is our guest presenter.

The Senior Sages meet at 9:30 on the second and fourth Thursday mornings of the month, at the Kopper Kitchen (2661 Airport Way) for a no-host breakfast, and eclectic discussion on topics from participants and guests. All are welcome, no reservation required. Call Tom von Alten, 378-1217, for more information or to be added to our email or telephone reminder list.

Calling All Readers

The Other Bookclub welcomes readers at all levels to discuss some of the great books of the day:

Our next meeting features a combined meeting with the Classics Book Club on April 13 at 7pm in the Library at BUUF, when we'll discuss Willa Cather's, My Antonia.  This is the selection for this year's city-wide Big Read, so look for events in the Treasure Valley on this classic novel. Check the Idaho Statesman or the Cabin website www.thecabinidaho.org for event listings.

The May meeting will be at the home of Harriet Shaklee, 906 Marshall Street at 7pm on Sunday, May 18, when we'll discuss the memoir by Bill Bryson, The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid. You can reach Harriet at or 371-3634 for questions.

Let It Be a Dance We Do

A fun social was enjoyed by many as we danced to the records of our youth played on computer by a local DJ as Wanda and Bryan Jennings celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.  Thanks to all who came for the fun and for all of the good wishes sent our way as well as the contributions to BUUF.

Osiyo BUUF,

I have been stirring a way to make a contribution to our vibrant community.  I offer my services as Wedding Officiant during the March through August of Elizabeth's sabbatical at No Expense to a joyous couple.

Wedding Officiant and Celebrant

Alternative Wedding-weaving has many possibilities.  There are many ways to invite commitment.  Loving relations are Rhythms and Fabric sung of many communities.

Beauty is awakened as ceremonial weavings with GrandMother Earth and her natural families.  Offering Religion-free, dogma-free ceremonies.

Call for questions and exploration:

EarthThunder, 208 599-1004, .

PNWD & UUA

"Common Threads" Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations General Assembly 2008

Emmie Schlobohm

Imaging yourself walking into a huge conference hall, three stories up to the ceiling, feels like it could have its own weather system inside, and hearing that distinctive sound of a vast enclosed space with hundreds of quiet conversations going on simultaneously—an energized white noise hum. That was my first experience of a Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations' General Assembly (UUA GA). I was fortunate enough to go to the UUA GA in Portland, Oregon this past summer and I will never be the same. Being in that conference hall with 5,000 other UUs, knowing that I could sit down with any one of them and talk about what we both may believe, what's important to us, how we are in the world, and be able to agree or not and still be UUs together, was a mind and soul expanding experience! For five days, I sat in small and large groups, learning together, discovering other people and congregations, being a UU in a UU context I had no idea was possible. You have that opportunity this year! The UUA GA will be in Fort Lauderdale, Florida this year from June 25-29. Early registration ends April 30 and we can help you get there. If you're interested, come find me and we can talk! If Florida doesn't work for you, how about Salt Lake City in June 2009? I'll be there! Come with me!

Wider Community

Destination Ecuador

Kristen Raese

This June, I am going on a Girl Scout Destination to Ecuador to promote world service, leadership and global citizenship. While there, my destination group of five Girl Scouts from Idaho will be helping in low income schools. We will provide school supplies and teach English language lessons to the children through various activities. I am excited to have this opportunity to help Ecuadorian schools and children first hand and to explore the rich culture of this country. We have been told that the school we will be working in needs basic school supplies - pencils, pens, markers, colored pencils, stickers, erasers, scissors, flashcards, coloring books, crayons, maps and athletic string backpacks. If you would like to contribute supplies for me to take to Ecuador, I will have a collection basket at BUUF May 4 and 11. Thanks for supporting me and the children of Ecuador.

Into Great Silence

Nestled deep in the postcard-perfect French Alps, the Grande Chartreuse is considered one of the world's most ascetic monasteries. German filmmaker Philip Gröning, without crew or artificial lighting, lived in the monks' quarters for six months—filming their daily prayers and ritual, their tasks as farmers and craftsmen, and their rare outdoor excursions. Into Great Silence is a mesmerizing and poetic chronicle of spirituality, dissolving the boundary between screen and audience with a total immersion into the simplicity of monastic life.

Treasure Valley Community Television's Channel 11 presents the Boise premiere of this beautiful and unique film as a part of their documentary series at the Flicks, Sunday, April 6, 7:30 p.m. Contact TVCTV (343-1100) or the Flicks Theater, 646 Fulton St., for more information, or tickets. Proceeds benefit TVCTV.