BUUF News – May 2012

Contents

EverGreene

Rev. Elizabeth Greene

I hardly ever address a BUUF News column to one group, but I'm making an exception this month.

This is a "calling all young adults" column, to attend a meeting at my house on Tuesday, May 1, 7 pm (1012 Strawberry Lane), to continue talking about how we can get more young adults, keep them, pay attention to their ideas, and take advantage of an energy that might be a little different from our "majority" energy. Which is a bit toward the middle and older variety. (Not that that's bad; we just need everyone's gifts.)

Five young adults and one distinctly older one (me) met at my house last month, and we had a great time brainstorming all kinds of things. Something that was very cool about it was that we talked about young adult concerns, yes, but all five of the folks attending had good ideas that could strengthen our whole congregation.

Here's one simple but potentially-profound one: that our church folks just get in the habit of making a Facebook entry whenever something interesting or thought-provoking or heart-stirring happens in our church. Lots of us of all ages are on Facebook, so the word could get out in a painless and broad-based way.

"Young adult" is being defined as approximately between 20 and 40, but we're not requiring birth certificates, and hope to have good attendance on May Day. Building a more diverse church!

President's Message

Debra Smith, Board President

"Was Nora right to have walked out on her husband and family?" I posed the question to my students after we completed reading A Doll House by Henrik Ibsen. The play ends with "a door slam heard 'round the world," as a coddled and cloistered mother of three realizes that her life is a sham, and that she had better escape her make-believe doll house existence and discover who she is, before she attempts to raise three other human beings. Many are very uncomfortable with her repudiation of cultural norms. The question provokes good discussion, with students taking one of three distinct positions.

Some few are staunchly in favor of Nora's choice. They cite (as I have set them up to do) philosopher Immanuel Kant's Categorical Imperative that human beings are "ends of themselves, and not a means to an end." Nora, they argue, has a duty to herself first and foremost. Prior to her awakening, she had unknowingly molded her identity to fit society's needs, and those needs reinforce patriarchy. She has been exploited by prevailing social norms. She is not a good mother; she is barely more than a child herself. They agree with Kant, that society can be deemed "good" if it protects the inherent worth and dignity of each individual. Nora's society was structured in such a way as to deny her this; she must reject this conspiracy against her person.

A larger majority believe that Nora has made a mistake by abandoning her family. They see it as a selfish act, and one that if acted upon by more people, would undermine society. We cannot have people shirking their obligations to each other, no matter how unwitting they were when they entered into those obligations. A contract is a contract; a covenant a covenant. Humans have an obligation to promote the well-being of society as a whole, and they have to be willing to sacrifice their own ends for the ends of society. If that demands conformity—if that requires we relinquish our autonomy—so be it. They come down on the side of utilitarianism. Those societies are deemed "good" that promote the greatest good for the greatest number.

Still others have a hard time deciding just what to think about Nora. They can understand how immature she is by virtue of the gender expectations of her time, but they also worry about those three children. They will be raised by a stranger, their nanny. But they worry about those three children if she remains in their lives. They will still be raised by a stranger—their mother—in a house of self-deceit, posturing, and superficiality.

The individual. Society. Integrity. Conformity. How do we negotiate this razor's edge?

I find that the real discussion begins—in other words, my students get out of their rigid ideological boxes—when I rephrase the question. Not "Was Nora Right...?" Rather, I shift the question to make them examine their own assumptions underlying their judgment of Nora. I ask, "What scares you about Nora's choices?"

When I ask this question, the tone of the discussion shifts. Now we can talk in terms not of morality, but in terms of what seems threatening. Now we begin to understand that our ideological stances derive from our not-often-acknowledged fears. Now we can begin to analyze those fears, and see whether they stand up to the test of sunlight. It's a subtle difference, but perceptible. Students begin to soften their stance. They begin to listen to each other more. We may be turned off by a person's strident defense of a moral position, but who is not compelled by another person disclosing his fears? In your dealings with yourself and others, how often do you consider what fear is being masked by absolutism?

At the annual meeting on May 20 (see announcement and watch for the mailing) you will be asked to vote on the church becoming a signatory to the Charter for Compassion. Compassion requires that we acknowledge the fears underlying our own defensive absolutism.

Religious Exploration

We are All Visionaries with a Mission

Emmie Schlobohm, Director of Religious Exploration (DRE)

Over the past several weeks, our tireless and dedicated Board of Trustees has invited all of our various and sundry committees, programs, and ministries to look inward and create vision and mission statements along with objectives and goals, and even wish lists. In the midst of all the daily tasks and to-dos involved in the ad-ministry-tion of my beloved Religious Exploration (RE) ministry, this essential exercise has been an unexpected gift. I have had the phenomenal opportunity to work with a group of RE folk as we journey together defining our desired vision for RE at the Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and beyond. The opportunity for introspection, reflection and dreaming with these individuals has been eye-opening, heart-warming, and exhilarating. The entire process has been akin to being a part of a community fireworks celebration on a summer evening. You hear the initial bang of the launch. There's the sizzle and whoosh of the rocket rising into the air as it works towards reaching its destination. And then the sky explodes in color and light spreading out into the darkness. This vision and mission for RE here in our Boise U.U. Fellowship is an explosion of dreams and hopes and inspirations for the future of our children and for our congregation! Unlike the fireworks at a Fourth of July celebration, these fireworks endure and will continue over the years. The results of this endeavor will be published in various places, including RE's annual report and will be available for review and informal discussion at the Second Saturday Fellowship Bar-B-Q Potluck on May 12. Come see what your Religious Exploration ministry has in store and let's talk together about our journey down that path.

BUUF Community Bar-B-Q Featured at May's Second Saturday Fellowship Potluck!

We have incredibly welcoming grounds that call to us to come and enjoy and great people to play and share it with! Heed the call and join your fellow BUUFers Saturday, May 12, for an evening filled with games, grilling, and great people! Your Religious Exploration program will be sponsoring this event with our junior and senior high youth leading activities for all ages. Grills, griddles, and fire will be available for cooking the meat and veggies you bring. Please also bring a side or dessert to share. Beverages and s'more fixings will be provided by RE folks! Yes, I said s'mores! Fun and sticky fingers will be had by all!

Celebrate the Children!

On Sunday, May 13, we will be celebrating children of all ages in our congregation with "Our Unitarian Universalist Stories" presented by Religious Education for Children and Youth for both services. Come celebrate our children on this second annual Religious Exploration Celebration Sunday! Find out what our children and youth have explored this year in their classes. Unitarian Universalist faith traditions, our BUUF religious community, and intangible gifts have been the over-arching themes this year, so join us for stories galore for all ages!

Summer RE Coordinator Needed

Summer brings a different look to Religious Exploration for children currently in preschool through sixth grade. Starting June 10, children in kindergarten through sixth grade will meet together and explore the world around them, while the preschoolers will enjoy their own special program. The Religious Exploration program is looking for an individual to coordinate these two important programs. The coordinators' primary responsibilities include scheduling and confirming volunteers, obtaining necessary class supplies and facilitating the in-class chalice lighting and opening ritual for each Sunday during the summer. If you are interested in learning more about this very part-time paid position, please contact Emmie Schlobohm, Director of Religious Exploration, at 658-1710 by May 6.

... Where Children are Wise and Adults Can Play – Teachers needed for next year!

Our young people are a miraculous bunch! They bring smiles, laughter, and joy to us all every week. If you haven't spent time in one of our Religious Exploration classrooms, you're truly missing out on a whole lot of fun, wonder and awe. Religious Exploration for children and youth is looking for teams of guides and advisers to lead and follow our youth through next year's explorations, discoveries and transformations. If you would like to join in on the phenomenon that is Religious Exploration, please contact Emmie Schlobohm, DRE, at 658-1710 to find out more about teaching in our classrooms - nursery through high school.

Appreciation Breakfast for Teacher/Guides, Youth Advisors, and Nursery Care-givers

It's time to give thanks for a year of good work given with love and care! Our Teacher Appreciation Breakfast will be on May 20 starting at 8:30 in the north wing classrooms. Breakfast, fellowship, and merriment will reign!

Game Day – May 27

The weather is beautiful! Our grounds are delightful! Let's go out and play! On May 27, your young people's Religious Exploration program would like to invite you to come out and play with us. During our two services, our young people will be out on the grounds for our traditional Game Day led by guides, advisers, and youth. After both services, everyone will be invited to join in the fun and play some games out in the fresh air!

COMMITTEES

A View From The Bridge

Jolene Schow

We're gearing up for the outdoor season of events that began with a wedding last month. The couple took advantage of our beautiful courtyard for the ceremony, while utilizing the rest of the facility when the weather became a bit "dicey." The clients were most complimentary of our facility.

Prior to the event, the Landscape troops did some "spring cleaning" of the grounds making it even more welcoming to these and other visitors. Recently we gave a tour to a group from the Bend, Oregon UU church that is looking into building designs so they can create their own new worship space. They have a 20 acres parcel on the edge of town they wish to develop.

In addition to the ongoing event business, BEC is still continuing to search for a low-impact, long-term renter who might want to use our space during the times our building is free of BUUF activities. The intent here is to generate a steady income without impinging on our normal activities. An example of this kind of renter might be another small church that needs worship space. If you have any referrals, please have them check us out at: www.bridgeeventcenter.com or call 208/891-8081.

BEC's MVP for May

There are some great people helping the Bridge Event Center run smoothly. This month we feature:

Jennifer Grush-Dale – Behind the scenes there is a force of nature known as Jennifer who is consistently putting all the pieces of our newsletters together and keeping us all informed about BEC and BUUF happenings. It takes a lot of work corralling all of the information, formatting it, "decorating" it, and getting it all done on a regular time schedule. The result: a fabulous looking and professional tool for all of the Fellowship. Jen has cheerfully been doing this for quite some time now and we want to acknowledge her commitment to this task. Our heartfelt appreciation, Jennifer (who even had to do the work to get her own thank you included)!

JUSTICE Outreach

Spread a Little Kindness and Change the World

During the month of May, the Social Justice Outreach, in conjunction with the Religious Exploration community, will earmark twenty-five percent of the money you give during our weekly offering for Be Kind Idaho. Be Kind Idaho works to bring the message of kindness to Idaho by supporting the mission of the Ben's Bells Project here in Idaho. Their mission is for all of us to inspire, educate, and motivate each other to realize the impact of intentional kindness and to empower individuals to act according to that awareness, thereby changing our world.

The Ben's Bells Project is a non-profit community art project focused on the creation of Ben's Bells - beautiful ceramic hanging works of art inspired by the spirit of Ben Mare Packard. Ben's Bells are not for sale. Bi-annually, hundreds of bells are hung randomly in several communities throughout the country. They are left anonymously for people to find and take home as a reminder of the benefits of simple everyday kindness. BUUF will be sponsoring workshops to create these messengers of kindness and compassion this summer. Everyone will be welcome to participate. Meanwhile, keep kindness in your heart and consider Ben's Bells and Be Kind Idaho's efforts to spread a little kindness as you contribute during our weekly offering.

If you are inspired to do so, you can write "outreach" on the memo line of your check and 100% of your generous donation will go to this remarkable project. Thank you for your generosity and spread a little kindness today and every day!

Helping our Neighbors One Home at a Time

You, me, some of our friends.
Conversation, laughter, sweat.
Scraping, priming, painting.
Painted fingernails, hands, and clothes.
A home refreshed & new friendships.
Grateful homeowner!

Paint the Town - June 9

Bill Hall at 345-8222 or

Rick Groff at 794-2505 or

ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Last Ministerial Lunches 'till September

Looking for a chance to chat informally with fellow BUUFers and our minister? Ministerial lunches are where it's at, held twice a month, no host and no restrictions on topics you might want to bring up.

Tuesday, May 8, Miss Tami's Cottage and Tea Room, 1031 North Main Street, Meridian, 11:30. (It's always possible just to have coffee here, too.)

Friday, May 25, the cafeteria in the URS Building (formerly Washington Mutual, even more formerly M-K) on Park, across Broadway on the inbound Extender, 11:30. Go in the double doors behind the big fountain.

Come join our little lunch parties!

Don't Miss the Spring Fling!

Elizabeth Greene

Now that the weather is warm, I want to warm my new townhouse, at 1012 Strawberry Lane. You are cordially (warmly!) invited to drop in between 1 and 5 pm on Saturday, May 5. Please bring a snack and something to drink, and we will share.

I am going to suggest a kind of very loose "attendance schedule," at the risk of madly offending freedom-loving UUs. But the house is small, and I am hoping that lots and lots of you will come. Please, come absolutely any time that works for you, of course.

And, if you can, you might want to sorta-kinda drift in on this schedule:

• Last name A-F, 1:00-2:00
• Last name G-L, 2:00-3:00
• Last name M-R, 3:00-4:00
• Last name S-Z, 4:00-5:00

Also, if some of you park at Municipal Park and walk across Walnut, there will be less frustration on Strawberry Lane, and my neighbors will probably be happier.

Whew. No more suggestions! Please come!

Sages Open to Ideas

Tom von Alten

The BUUF Sages invite newcomers and old-comers alike to join us for a no-host breakfast and friendly discussion, second and fourth Thursdays, 9:30am at the Kopper Kitchen, 2661 Airport Way. For this month, that's May 10 and 24, with our speakers and topics still one of life's mysteries at press time. Watch the Sunday announcements, or contact me (at 378-1217 or ) to be added to our reminder list.

Do you have memories to share? A cause to promote? A discussion you want to start? Curious what we're up to? Give us a try. Let us hear from you.

First Sunday Potlucks are back for the Summer!

Bring a potluck dish and join us after the Worship Service on the first Sunday of each month this summer. We'll picnic outside if the weather allows. This is a great way to get to know other BUUFers.

Come on June 3, July 1, August 5, and September 2.

Bring a potluck dish to share and your own utensils and plates. In order to address the diversity of dietary needs, think about bringing a vegetarian or vegan dish and labeling it as such.

Many hands make quick work, so plan to help with the clean up!

Contact Wanda Jennings at 362-7563 or .

NO MEETING OF UUJME* THIS MONTH

IN MAY due to the Director's (Debbie) daughter visiting from Pennsylvania. See you all in June!

(*UUs for Justice in the Middle East)

How We Believe

Jeanette Ross

Huumanists have much the same variability as may be found among BUUF congregants in general. We emphasize what we have in common rather than debate our differences or pick at the faults of those who differ from us. We do have our own emphasis. We are emphatically secular and our ritual is limited. That is, we converse. Those who want a song, a poem, a prayer or homily are invited to attend early Sunday services.

For our May meeting we will talk about the ways we express our belief that we are responsible, individually and as a group, to work toward the world we wish to see. All contributions are welcome. We meet in the BUUF library at 11:15, third Sundays, which will next be May 20. Those who appreciate an email reminder may notify Rick at .

Past Lives? Reincarnation, Reincarnation Therapy, Karma?

Have you lived before? Will you live again? Does it matter if its true or not in Reincarnation Therapy? Does Karma affect your life(s)? This is our next Discussion Topic. A brief video will be shown.

Fringe Topics Discussion – THIRD THURSDAYS. Our next meeting is May 17, 7:00 PM, Channing Room, South Wing, BUUF. ALL WELCOME! Come join the Discussion.

Classic Discussion

The BUUF Classic Book Club will discuss Franz Kafka's unusual and challenging work, The Castle, on May 23 at 7:00 at Kathleen McGowan's. Call Lorel Case (376-3188) for details.

Exploring Pagan/Nature Spirituality

Exploring our connection to Earth and all of her creatures and one another. Whether you are pantheist, panentheist, animist, polytheist, or any other flavor of pagan or earth-centered orientation, you are welcome to share with us. We meet on Second Thursdays. Our next meeting is THURSDAY, MAY 10, 7 PM, Channing Room, South Wing, BUUF.

Festivities Fun

Do you have some ideas about fun ways we can socialize at BUUF?

Would you like to help plan our 2nd Saturday Potlucks for next year?

Do you have some ideas of ways to celebrate Elizabeth?

Want to have another hoedown and coffee house and bunco party?

Sign up now to be part of our Festivities Committee and join us in planning for fun during the 2012-2013 year. Contact Wanda Jennings at or 362-7563.

The Other Book Club

Come join us for a lively discussion on books and other topics. We generally on the second Sunday of the month from 7 PM to 8:30 PM. However, our May meeting is one week earlier so that there is no conflict with Mother's Day or BUUF's annual meeting.

Our May 6 selection is Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson. We will gather at the home of Erin Logan, 2116 N. 17th St., Boise, ID 336-4960.

On June 10 we will be discussing Cutting for Stone by Verghese Abraham. We will gather at Kathy McGowan home, 3496 Holl Dr., Eagle, ID. 939-7215.

In July we will not meet But, will return August 12 with Wallace Stegner's Crossing to Safety. Meeting place is not yet determined.

Future books include Possession by A.S. Byatt, Baker Towers by Jennifer Haigh. If you would like to be on our email list send your address to .

Happy Reading!

Bargain Book Corner in BUUF Library

Many of you have purchased books in the Book Nook on Sundays, but did you know that there are also books for sale in our BUUF Library? The Bargain Book Corner shelves contain books to provide great reading at very reasonable prices. Mysteries, histories, travel, health, and many other subjects are included among these terrific selections. Sale of used books provides funds for new book purchases for our Library's permanent collection. Drop by to discover some great reading for spring and summer and also check out some of the excellent new books recently purchased and on the shelves. Lists of some of our most recent acquisitions are on the bulletin board just inside the Library door. Happy Reading!

Landscape Greeting Cards are Back

Greeting cards beautifully photographed by Jane Rohling, Frank Shuff and Barb Alexander are now on sale again in the Book Nook. Each card depicts the natural beauty of some area in our BUUF landscape and is inscribed with an appropriate quotation. Cards are blank inside so they can be personalized for any occasion. The price for each is $3.00, and funds go to further the work of our Landscape Committee to keep our grounds as beautiful as the scenes displayed on these very special cards.

History Keeper's Note

Elaine Durbin

Childrens religious education probably was not a high need for most of the people who met together as Unitarians in the years following World War II. But it could not have been unforeseen. Witness the adult Willy McQuillen's observations from his memory of a four or five year old in l949 sitting on George Johnson's lap, the sole child in Inez Duncan's living room filled with adults:

"Obviously I did not have any idea what was going on or why people were meeting but they seemed to all be discussing some issue intently. I felt very secure around this group of very quiet and calm people.

They were attentive to my needs and talked to me as a person in my own right. I am sure they gave my mother a little respite from a squirmy preschooler bored with the proceedings but not with the people. I am sure that a child was a bit of an imposition but nobody gave me that impression."

The Boise Unitarians officially affiliated with the American Unitarian Association in l955 and quite likely affiliated with the Liberal Religious Youth (LRY) soon after. A BUUF reporter recalls being aware of 20 or so kids when she found the Fellowship in l961. The LRY was much talked about, as was Fran Buettel, the highly respected leader of the children's Religious Education program. Not much of those very early years of the childrens RE is known at this point, other than "The Tuckers" and "Haunting House" were in the curriculum.

If someone's memory of the RE program between l955 and l965 is jogged, please–please, call Lorel Case (376-3188) or me (343-1139); We'd like to fill the gap!

Wanted: Your Stories of BUUF

During this year of sharing our stories, we are finding there are a lot out there. A group is working to preserve many of those stories in a book about BUUF's history.

We need you! We are looking for historical items, such a pictures, significant event fliers and more. And we're also looking, of course, for stories! Our group has a basic outline of significant events in our Fellowship's history, but we want the history to be from many different points of view.

• What are your favorite memories at BUUF?
• Were you a part of the work group that found the property our Fellowship currently occupies?
• What do you remember about that process?
• And what were your first impressions of BUUF when you first arrived here?

If you would like to contribute anything to our endeavor, please feel free to contact me, Jen Grush-Dale, at or 333-8976. I can return photographs and other documents once I scan them. Here's to BUUF past, present and future!

Justice General Assembly in Idaho!

Can't go to the UUA General Assembly (GA) in Phoenix June 20-24? You can be there virtually! It's free and no travel is involved. Go to the UUA website and log onto many of the sessions.

The Unitarian Universalist General Assembly 2012 will be a gathering with multiple ways of engaging in justice work for people of all ages. Joining with the people of Arizona, we will worship, witness, learn and work together. We will leave General Assembly grounded in our faith, energized for justice and with resources to bring this work home to our congregations.

Start preparing now by visiting UUA.org.

Check out the immigration justice resources for stories of engaged congregations.

Follow the weekly posts at the UUA immigration justice blog, Cooking Together.

Read The Death of Josseline by Margaret Regan and use the discussion guide for reflection.

Join community partners and interfaith groups committed to immigration justice.

Organize a congregational conversation about the Doctrine of Discovery using the discussion guide.

Let your delegates, Bryan and Wanda Jennings, know how you want them to vote, at or 362-7563. In Arizona, 208-409-3079 for Bryan and 208-283-2405 for Wanda.

HELP Wanted

Coffee, Clean-Up & Snacks

Helpers are needed to make coffee before the first service, to clean up after the second service each Sunday, and to provide snacks during that nice visiting time that we all enjoy together. Please sign up via the clipboard on the snack table near the coffee and tea urns. Many hands make light work! THANK YOU from the Hospitality Committee.