EverGreene
Reverend Elizabeth Greene is on Sabbatical. She will return to the office Aug. 1 and to the pulpit Sunday, Sept. 7.
Em-bracing the Journey
Emmie Schlobohm, Board President
As I look back on this past year, I am truly humbled and amazed by the energy, commitment, and love that our members and friends give to the greater community and to each other. We are a generous people filled with the spirit of abundance. I have had the honor of witnessing many miraculous transformations and selfless acts of giving and of unconditional love. So, as you read this recap of our year, please hold in your heart and mind all the beloved souls with whom you spend your Sundays and many other days of the week.
We started the year with the prospect of a new floor and new sound system for our Great Hall gathering space. Both those enhancements have been put into place and now the space in which we gather is beautiful and accessible to all and a reflection of who we are in the world with the illuminating chalice incorporated in the floor tiles and the addition of our wondrous windows representing many faith traditions and our dedication to artistic expression in our sacred spaces.
Communication was a priority for the Board this year. We instituted frequent Dialogues with the Board. These opportunities to facilitate conversation among the congregation with the Board, committee chairs, and other leaders were very well received and well attended. Sometimes the conversations even continued after the scheduled time in the hallways and in the Great Hall. Spirited, kind and compassionate discussions of topics dear to us all occurred in a supportive environment where all views were listened to and truly heard. The Board will continue to have these unique gatherings on a regular basis into our promising future.
Dialogue with the Board
On June 22 after the single service, you are invited to join Board members to talk about how to improve communications at BUUF! We will brainstorm some of our communication needs and discuss solutions. We hope to see you there!
We experienced genuine progress on our transformative journey of growth, in size, spirit and presence in the greater community. We hosted a dynamic and informative symposium on the war in Iraq, which resulted in a deeper understanding of the many facets of that part of the world by all present. We were honored to have various world-renowned speakers, such as the Rev. Forrest Church and Rev. Robert Fulghum. We continued the process of developing a strategic plan and the goals created are going forward in their many ways, spearheaded by congregants with infinite care, consideration, and passion. And, near the end of this year, Janine Larson, from our Pacific Northwest District of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, came to be with us and to talk with us about our greater vision and how best to move forward in our journey.
There are so many more wondrous things that happen within our beloved community every day as we journey together. I am constantly amazed and infused with feelings of awe and blessedness to be a part of this caring, compassionate, and willing-to-act-on-their-convictions group of committed and passionate travelers and seekers. I am honored and most grateful to have had the opportunity to be your President.
RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION
It's Time for Summer RE
Karen Raese, co-Director of Religious Education
Karen is currently serving as Acting Co DRE. The DRE search committee will continue their search for a DRE following Elizabeth's return in the fall.
As we wind up another fabulous year in children's Religious Education at BUUF, plans for transition into the children's summer program are being made. Volunteers are currently being recruited for nursery care and for guests to present the Just So Stories to the older children. If you'd like to offer your time and talents please call Karen Raese or Cathy Carmen, Co Director's of Religious Education, at the BUUF office.
Summer programming starts June 8. All Sunday services will be held at 10:00 and the children, nursery age - 6th grade, will go directly to class. At this writing nursery and preschool children will be together in the preschool room with two adults- a nursery care provider and a preschool coordinator. Children completing Kindergarten through 6th grade will be together for a combined age class in the first and second grade classroom. We are in the process of hiring coordinators that will work with these two classes to provide continuity, structure and facilitate the class activities. The DREs do not have direct classroom responsibilities during the summer but will work closely with the coordinators. I will be in the office in June and August planning for the fall and taking some much needed time off in July to enjoy the summer and my family. It has been a good year. I thank you for your support and for allowing me to work with your amazing children. I look forward to seeing you in September.
Safe Congregations Policy—A Living Document
Cathy Carmen, co-Director of Religious Education
Cathy is currently serving as Acting Co DRE. The DRE search committee will continue their search for a DRE following Elizabeth's return in the fall.
Last month I outlined the history of our Safe Congregations Policy, introduced the folks who serve on the panel that monitors its requirements and ensures there is a process in place to manage an abusive and/or difficult situation if the need arises. This month I would like to briefly outline some of the enormous benefits and resources the Safe Congregations Policy makes available to BUUF families.
The Safe Congregations policy is really a pro-active document intended to assist the Fellowship in avoiding situations that could potentially lead to abuse and/or false accusations. It accomplishes this prevention strategy through offering training to RE guides (teachers), youth advisors and nursery care providers plus education and educational materials to children, youth and their families. That "educational piece" is what I'd like to focus on here. In the DRE library, located in Karen's and my office in the South Wing, are books, resource manuals, curriculums and community contacts for information about human development and sexuality. These span the developmental spectrum from Jan Hindman's A Very Touching Book, to the 3rd edition of Changing Bodies, Changing Lives for teens and parents. These are in place for you, the members and friends of this Fellowship to use if as parents/caregivers you wish to instruct your children in these matters. As the policy states, "Our children must be empowered to protect themselves and report abuse." So, these resources are available at any time, for your perusal. If you are interested in using them, please check with myself or Karen. We'd be happy to share them with interested folks.
The other educational piece that the Safe Congregations Panel has recommended we explore further is for our RE Program to offer age-appropriate lessons about personal safety in our RE Sunday morning classes to our elementary children. This concept would need further discussion before anything would be proposed, but there is some precedent in curriculum development field. Our Whole Lives (OWL) the Unitarian Universalist Association's human development and sexuality class that is offered here to our Jr. High youth every other year, has specific curriculum for elementary aged children as well. If there were interest from enough parents/families and adults willing to be trained as facilitators, this class could be offered at BUUF.
So, as you can see our Safe Congregations Policy offers us many tools to work with in the life of our Fellowship. Over the summer, take the time to read the policy, located in the Information Center in the north entryway and in the wooden file in the office area in the south wing. It's a living, breathing document that calls us to be our "best selves" for our precious children and youth, as well as creating a safe loving and well educated community for us all. Let it be so!
Mirror Auction a Success
Karen Raese, Co Director of Religious Education
A special thank you goes to the 27 children and youth who decorated mirrors for the annual children's stewardship project. The auction was a huge success, raising over $500 for Animals in Distress, a charity that the children selected. Way to go, children and youth! Thanks also to Gwyn Reid, Sandy Jack and Miriam Woito for their significant roles in making this effort successful! It wouldn't have happened without them. If you were the high bidder on a mirror you have received a message. Please contact Karen Raese or Cathy Carmen, Co Directors of Religious Education, 658-1710, to make your payment and pick it up your mirror.
The Unsung Heroes of the Religious Exploration Program—The RE Committee
Cathy Carmen, Co-Director of Religious Exploration
Cathy is currently serving as Acting Co DRE. The DRE Search committee will continue their search for a DRE following Elizabeth's return in the fall.
In the hub-bub of the RE Program year ending and our Summer RE gearing up, please give a huge pat on the back to our talented Religious Exploration Committee! They have taken on the challenge of supporting our elementary classes at both services, sponsoring our special events throughout the year (Dia de los Muertos, Deck the Halls, Easter egg hunt, etc.) and coordinating our exciting Just So Stories summer offerings. These wonderful folks are: Angie Tate—chair extraordinaire, Parker Butler, Laurie Deines, Gina Delucchi, Barbara Morledge, Liz Owen-Brune, Ann Sabine, Lisa Smith and Amber Stigile. Take some time to offer them your gratitude for all their hard work. They deserve it!
COMMITTEES
2008 Leadership Appreciation
Nearly 20 BUUF leaders were recognized at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, May 18.
Gerry Morris, Warren Bean, and Mitchell Bethel were cited for Outstanding Service.
Emerging Leaders who have jumped in with both feet, include Jay Wechselberger, David Ward, Carol Wechselberger, Debbie Epsen, Christine Hazlik, Lisa Johnson, and Angie Tate.
Organizational Leaders, recognized for long-term leadership in a variety of roles included Mike Philley, Debra Smith, Rick Groff, Harriet Shaklee, Tom von Alten, Gwyn Reid, Mary Schwartzman, Wanda Jennings, and Elton Hall. Awards were given to Elaine Durbin, Outstanding Elder, and Charlotte Tompkins, 2008 Unsung Hero. The Leadership Council and BUUF Board sponsored this portion of the Annual Meeting.Outstanding Elder Recognition: Elaine Durbin
A person, advanced in years and experience, who is respected for his or her wisdom and whose advice is still valued and sought
Elaine Durbin, a member of BUUF since the 1960's, has been present at all BUUF's major turning points. She is without doubt our institutional memory, not just because of her long tenure but because she participated in so many of them.
Over the decades, Elaine has done whatever is needed, and she continues to do so today, looking for areas that need strengthening and lending her considerable skill and wisdom to them.
She has taught the 3rd-4th grade in Religious Education (now Religious Exploration), and she served on the Membership Committee twice. The Sunday Services Committee, when it was the Program Committee, saw her serve for 6½ years, including several years as chair. In addition, she has served on the Fundraising Committee, two RE subcommittees, and involved herself in BUUF's strategic planning efforts.
Elaine has just resigned from the Personnel Committee, where she has worked diligently for a number of years to guarantee sensible and magnanimous pay, benefits and working conditions for BUUF staff. Most recently she has advocated for a modest expansion of office personnel. She was involved in drafting the personnel handbook and, just this year, updating it.
Elaine has seen and welcomed the changes that have occurred at BUUF over the years as it has grown, changed location, and planned for the future. Having resigned—retired, one should say—from the Personnel Committee, she has immediately taken up a role on the Committee on Ministry, encouraging the Committee to rethink its nature and goals.
It is difficult to express what are perhaps her greatest long-term and ongoing contributions to BUUF. One cannot count the number of times Fellowship leaders have sought her advice on vision, planning and details relating to the development of BUUF. Her advice is always thoughtful, objective, carefully considered, calm, prudent and future-oriented. With Elaine, BUUF has a "Fellowship treasure," both in what she does and what she is.
Unsung Hero: Charlotte Tompkins
A leader who quietly and inconspicuously leads, works, assists, mentors, and performs to enhance the quality of life for others and the quality of an organization for the future
Charlotte Tompkins is a hidden leader. For 44 years, she has never taken roles that put her name forward but rather supports the work of everyone, year in and year out. One person told me that Charlotte "rejuvenates me" by her presence, and I believe that many others could say the same. Elaine Durbin's characterization of Charlotte is exactly right: Charlotte is imbued with a "sweet, tender nature" that "accepts people as they are." She is "smart, but not cynical," and we wondered together whether she has ever had an unkind thought about anyone.
When her own children were young, she volunteered in Religious Education, and she still maintains a flower garden from which for years she has brought flowers to cheer up the sanctuary.
Charlotte has long been the backbone of Sunday services. Besides playing the piano, she has served on both the Sunday Services Committee and the Music Committee for a very long time, helping to select hymns and seeing that they are played correctly, often by herself. She has long coordinated the musicians and music for our preludes, music for reflection and offertory, making many calls, helping to select music that will fit with the theme of the service, and getting music into the hands of performers in good time for practices. The music committee now has strong membership and she knows it will survive without her.
In addition to such longstanding service, Charlotte has also been a member of the Congregational Care Team (formerly Pastoral Care) and has helped a great number of people experiencing distress, including keeping in touch with elderly members and friends over years. She has provided care to the elderly and infirm in her house and continues to look after people today.
Calling All Chalices
Inside Interiors
One of the dominant themes to emerge from the Interiors Committee's recent chancel makeover forum is "chalice presence." The lighting of the chalice is a revered tradition that helps ground us in the "here and now" of the service. It is also a visual affirmation of who we are. The flaming chalice represents UUism. In an attempt to continue the conversation of how better to improve our "chalice presence," we thought it would be fun and creative to ask folks to share their personal chalices for use in one Sunday Service over the summer.
We realize that the chalice you use may not be in scale with the Great Hall. Yet, feedback we receive from that Sunday's participants will help us to get a greater idea of where we're heading.
If you have a beloved chalice and are willing to share it with us, please signup on the 'YOUR CHALICE SUNDAY' clipboard found in the Information Center in the north vestibule, email or speak with Dale Winke, Sarah Bratley, Nancy Harms or Erin Logan. As always, we appreciate your input.
Wanted: Interested and Alive!
The Membership Committee is making a list of congregation members who are interested in being the second leader for the weekly Newcomer "Chats." These informal conversations take place after the second service. The volunteers on the list will be called to help on an upcoming Sunday.
The leader will be in the sanctuary "rounding up" the newcomers who are there and sending them to Elizabeth's office. We need someone to go to Elizabeth's office fairly promptly after the service and greet the Newcomers who come in. Without the second leader, the Newcomers have been there alone and a bit confused.
Contact Jay Wechselberger for more information and to be added to the list of volunteers.
Social Action
Musical Instruments Needed
Is there a wind or stringed instrument at your house that has not been used in years? This year two of our member families have enriched the Whittier Elementary School Orchestra with instruments. If you would like to follow suite contact the orchestra teacher, Laura Owens, by e-mail:
June Social Justice Offering Goes All the Way to Bolivia
Our global community will be the recipient of this month's plate offering. Funds collected will help provide decent and safe housing for families in Bolivia. Twenty-five percent of the non-designated plate offering and 100% of checks that are marked "outreach" will go to Habitat for Humanity International in the Cochabamba Valley in Bolivia.
Congregational members Rhonda, Howard, Matt, Brad and Sarah Schaff will be traveling with a team of 20 people (many UU's), from the Seattle area, to Bolivia this summer to help build Habitat homes. The team raises funds to buy building materials for the homes that they will build along-side Bolivian families.
Bolivia is the poorest country in South America and decent housing is badly needed.
-58 percent of Bolivian families live in huts that do not meet the minimum living conditions, lacking basic services and sanitation.
-31 percent of homes accommodate three or more people per bedroom.
-38 percent of Bolivian homes are built with adobe (clay and straw) and 69 percent of houses have dirt floors.
A typical Habitat house measures about 600 sq. ft. and is constructed using bricks, cement, steel rods, and other materials, all first quality, in order to guarantee quality homes. The cost of this house is $4,200. The family recipients contribute hundreds of construction hours toward their home. Once the house is ready, the family pays for it through a no-interest loan. These mortgage payments then "roll over" and help build another house. Having families contribute to the building of their homes and then pay for them with reasonable terms contributes to the self-esteem and pride of new homeowners. This is what Habitat refers to as a "hand up, not a handout."
This will be the fourth Habitat International trip for the Schaff family. The previous three trips were to Guatemala. Their goal is to raise enough money to support the building of one total house in Bolivia.
BUUF Activities & Events
Don't Forget Your Flowers
At our service on June 1 (10 am, with potluck picnic following), we conduct our much-loved Flower Communion, based on Czech Unitarian minister Norbert Capek's brilliant concept—Capek wanted to have the religious, loving ties symbolized by traditional bread-and-wine communion, but without the Catholic overtones.
So he—and we after him—bring flowers to church, put them in riotous bouquets in front of the chancel, then when the time comes, we come forward and each person takes away a flower that someone else has brought. Many of us bring more than one flower, so that newcomers and those who have forgotten will be able to partake. We figure it's like life: sometimes you have just enough; sometimes you have a little extra, which you can share; and sometimes your hands are empty and you need the love of friends to fill them again.
Mészkõ church members, Csilla Halmagyi and Ildiko Petho, stand near the newly unveiled bust of Balazs Ferenc in Lakitelek, Hungary
Remember Your Water!
Don't forget, during your summer travels, to take a small container with you to collect water samples from the various places you visit. Why? Because on Sunday, September 7, we will be celebrating our Water Communion: the Mingling of the Waters, when we pour our containers of collected water into a communal bowl.
"We think the joining of the water is symbolic of the rejoining after being apart (and is) symbolic of our sharing faith coming from several different sources. This is our holy water, so to speak," says UU Rev. Craig Roshaven.
So don't forget to collect water and to bring it with you to BUUF on September 7!
News from Mészkõ
In late April, eight members of the church (including Reverend Balint) traveled to Lakitelek, Hungary, at the invitation of the vice president of the Hungarian Parliament, Lezsak Sandor for the dedication of a statue honoring Balazs Ferenc. Lezsak Sandor had learned about Balazs while traveling in Transylvania during the years of communism. He tried to bring Balazs' book about Mészkõ back to Hungary, but it was confiscated at the border. Thanks to Lezsak, Balazs Ferenc's writings contributed to the advancement of the democratic movement in Hungary.
Lezsak also founded a folk high school, modeled after the school Balazs Ferenc and Christine founded in Mészkõ. Saturday, all day long there were lectures on the work of Balazs Ferenc, and then the statue was unveiled. Balint Robert writes, "It was fantastic to learn how much Balazs Ferenc's ideas influenced the liberal democratic way of thinking, not only in Transylvania, but also in Hungary, too."
Faith and a Full Glass
After a year of talking about the language associated with religious faith, and our personal understanding of that as humanists, the BUUF group will finish with that which is essentially beyond words. Our June topic will be spirit and soul— that which fills our glass and what it is that has thus filled us. Spirited, spiritual— what's the difference? And how does the spiritual mix with all that other stuff we talked about this year to produce that which is soulfull?
Our May conversation covered some of that darker stuff— guilt and shame. Before our June 13 meeting (at BUUF, 11am) you may, dear reader, consider how regret, loss and dashed hopes color the soul.
Need more information? Ask Rick Groff or Jeanette Ross. We're in the book.
BUUF Mamas
Nimi Sandhu and daughter Salma planting Mothers Day pansies at BUUF
Okay you moms out there. Do you feel like you need a break from your kids and a chance to laugh, dine, imbibe and enjoy time with other BUUF moms, especially those with small children? Well, then we are the group for you! Join us for BUUF Mom's Night Out. Our next dinner is scheduled on April 29, which starts our regular monthly schedule of the *last Tuesday of every month*. So mark your calendar! June 24, July 29, August 26, September 30, etc... The location varies from month to month, so RSVP to Sally Grimes at 860-6370 or . This has been such a great success that is now a regular event, so even if you can't make it to our dinner let us know if you'd like to be added to the email list for future dinners.
June Sages
Tom von Alten
For June, the Senior Sages will revisit one of our recent topics, and on June 12, we'll play The Immigration Game. Stay tuned for a possible guest speaker as well. On the fourth Thursday, June 26, Jo Kirkpatrick will talk about Women Warriors. Plan on a lively discussion.
We meet at 9:30am on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month (20-some years now!), over a no-host breakfast at the Kopper Kitchen (2661 Airport Way). Join us! No reservation required. Call Tom von Alten, 378-1217, for more information or to be added to our email or telephone reminder list.
John Harms' Day—April 13, 2008
PNWD & UUA
Common Threads
General Assembly is a wonderful opportunity to connect with Unitarian Universalists from around the world. It is the annual meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. It will be held June 25-29 at Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This year's theme is Common Threads. Go to the website UUA.org for more information and to register. You are needed as a delegate to represent BUUF. Contact Wanda Jennings at 362-7563 or if you are interested in being a delegate.
Thank You Religious Education Volunteers
It takes a village to raise a child and at BUUF that is especially true. Did you know that each Sunday it takes over 20 adults (teachers, nursery care providers, OWL facilitators, youth advisors and Religious Education committee members) to make RE happen? Many of you have volunteered to help in RE classrooms and for special projects. We are appreciative of each and every one of your efforts. Please accept my sincere thanks. We value your contributions.
In addition, there are about 40 RE volunteers who made a huge commitment to serve our children as teachers, advisors, facilitators, RE committee members, and nursery care providers for the entire year. They were recognized at a RE breakfast on May 18. Please join us in thanking them for their dedication to our children. Truly, RE couldn't have happened with out each and every one of them.
| Sharla Ng | Diana Holdridge | Caren DeAngelis |
| Lisa Johnson | Mary Bormann | Carol Morgan |
| Dena Duke | Deanna Crowder | April Noriega |
| Ben Schwartzman | Nimi Sandhu | April Ward |
| Linden Boice | Renee Hatten Montagne | Kathy Lee |
| Sandy Cruise | Cathy Sherman | Tamra Vanegas |
| Janette Young | Jeanette Ross | Miriam Woito |
| Lance Pitman | Sandy Jack | Jan Nissl |
| Joe Wechselberger | Christine Hanzlik | Judy Fredrick |
| Sheryce Davis | Bill Reid | Kendra Bridges |
| Janette Lawler | Amy Butts | Kit and Julie Du Bois |
| Sally Grimes | Chris Chesak | Claudia Fernsworth |
| Nancy Riley | Becky Groff | Cynthia Alleman |
| RE Committee Members | ||
| Gena Delucchi | Barbara Morledge | Angie Tate |
| Amber Stigile | Laurie Deines | Parker Butler |
| Lisa Smith | Ann Sabin | Liz Owen Brune |
