BUUF News – April 2014

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Contents

FEATURED THIS MONTH

Together We Grow!

COME!!!! CELEBRATION SUNDAY

President's Message

In the Interim

RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION

Love Beyond Belief

Bridging Sunday

Child Dedication

The Great BUUF Easter Can Hunt is Fast Approaching

Board Game Night!

Mark your Calendars! Merry Month of May Family Festival

TRANSITION

Transitioning Despite a Twist or Two on the Road

COMMITTEES

Fellowship Connections

New Part-time Building & Grounds Coordinator: Chad DeGraw

Board Approves Updates to the BUUF Policy on Giving

Program Ministry Council – Spring Updates!

Fundraising News: Silent Auction, May 4 to 18

Welcome to the BUUF Financial Corner

Bridge Event Center

Calling for "Comfort Food" Volunteers!

 

ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Do You Take Pride in Our Building? Please Come!

You Won't Want to Miss the Coffeehouse!

Sage April

Hoping for the Best?

Want To Present a Sunday Worship Service?

Chalice Circle News

Delegate Report

Quest Update

Travel Group Heads to China

The Other Book Club

Landscape Work Parties

Ever seen a Cryptid?

Mother Earth

Understanding the Palestinian/Israeli Conflict

John Harms Tie Day – April 13

NEXT Newsletter Deadline:

Noon Tuesday, April 15

Together We Grow!

Gathering and scattering drawing

It is said that if we want to go fast, go alone —if we want to go far, go together. Our BUUF community began gathering and growing fifty years ago based on a powerful shared vision for which we are the seeds; a vision of a kind, just, inclusive world scattered to all the arenas that our lives touch. Now we are the strong shoulders on which others will stand to see yet a farther future and carry that vision.

Quoting BUUF congregant, Warren Bean, "our future is wide open". Who can imagine in this new world of travel, communication and technology, how far our lives can touch? But the core values that can carry us strong in this and any new world remain simple and timeless. Sunflower seeds carry in their DNA the force to profusely scatter generations of beautiful blooms, which always seek the light. Do you want to plant some Sunflower seeds – literally or figuratively? Do you want to be inspired to "Love Hell out of the World"? Come enjoy rocking music, and in solidarity as a community, support BUUFs future with our 2014 Pledges. Children will rejoin our service to witness the ceremony of generosity, to display their colorful craft projects, and we all will enjoy a brunch, music and conviviality in our sunny (we hope but have a Plan B) courtyard.

COME!!!! CELEBRATION SUNDAY

April 6, a single service 10:00am

Extra parking at three sites: Concrete Cutter's Parking Lot on Garrett, ½ block south east; Boise Bible College lot on Marigold, and Garden City Library parking lot on Glenwood. Carpooling encouraged.

Your Stewardship Team

Sunday, April 6, 10:00 am

Loving the Hell out of this World – Celebration Sunday Single Service, Rev. Cecilia Kingman and Rev. Dana Worsnop

The religious life can break our hearts, and break our hearts open. What do you find heartbreaking? What gifts can flow out of you, into an aching world? Let's give ourselves away, together! Come hear the Boise Cello Collective and join in the party. Nancy Harms, Service Coordinator.

The Rev. Cecilia Kingman is a member of the Red Pill Brethren, a group of people who seek to turn our lives and churches inside out and bring love into the most broken places of our society. She is an award winning preacher and has served congregations throughout the West. Rev. Kingman is President of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association, and resides in Seattle with her family. Nancy Harms, Service Coordinator.

President's Message

I am turning 33 this month, and as is my habit, I have spent March (besides doing the final work needed to announce the voting process for the Search Committee), reflecting . Where have I come from? Where am I going? Am I doing things that will create what it is I think I wish to become?

While musing, quotes from recent conversations have sprouted in my psyche. One such a quote came while reading an article from the journal Parabola by Ram Dass called "Polishing the Mirror." The quote is a teaching by the author's yoga teacher, Hari Dass. "If a pickpocket meets a saint, all he sees are his pockets." The lesson, says Thaddeus Golas, is that "we don't have to change what we see, only the way we see it."

Shortly after, I was lamenting to a colleague about a problem I chronically felt powerless about. I think in frustration, she told me I sounded like a victim and "what was I going to do about it?!

That same day, another quot. This time a rule from wildland fire management that teaches leaders to "act decisively, but provide for safety first."

By the time this is published, BUUF will be celebrating, and hopefully expressing gratitude to those who will develop the package that will catch the eye, heart and imagination of our next settled minister. The Board will be looking at our financial health and working to present a budget that will need your approval at the May Congregational meeting. We will also be participating in the tasks that need to take place for the interim period. I personally, am grateful our Interim Minister is back to full health and witnessing the life of our community.

These "big questions" won't leave me just because I am to embark on another trip around the sun. Rather, I will be wondering what I might discover if I improve the lens I see the world with. When I get stuck in a rut, I will ask myself "what am doing about it," and be brave enough to sit with the answer, so if necessary, i can alter course. Lastly, when the time is right, I will practice acting decisively so I can protect the interests of my loved ones and that which I feel I have a responsibly to serve, to the best of my ability. And, I will try to be humble when I have made a misstep and do what I can to correct it.

Happy beautiful, warm, inspiring spring to us all, and may we plant many seeds that will bring sustenance, beauty and wellness to the lives around us.

Robyn

In The Interim

Rev. Dana Worsnop

As we prepare to meet for our Celebration Sunday service on April 6, I am so pleased to be able to share with you my good colleague Rev. Cecilia Kingman. You'll also be meeting the Search Committee, sharing a meal and planting sunflowers. I am eager to hear the music of the Boise Cello Collective as well. Oh yes, and I hope that spring has fully sprung!

The theme of the Annual Giving Drive this year is Gathering and Scattering because that is what you do at BUUF at your best. You gather together in a community of compassion, grace and inspiration. I hope you feel seen and accepted, that you find comfort and friendship when you are lonely or in despair, that you find the sustenance and nurture you need to find your way in a complicated world. I hope you feel inspired to work to create the world you want to see. Inspired to work for justice.

And then you scatter to the winds, taking all you have gotten at BUUF and moving in the world more kindly, more ethically, more actively. I hope you live your values. Sometimes you may find yourself on the Capital steps witnessing for peace and justice and equity. Sometimes you may find yourself at the Farmer's Market giving vouchers to help people stamps stretch their funds and get to buy fresh, healthy and sustainably grown foods. Sometimes you'll find yourself at an interfaith gathering learning more about other views, perhaps even dancing international dances of peace. Sometimes you'll simply find you have more energy to help where you are needed because of all you get at BUUF. And then perhaps you'll gather more of your friends who will come with you to BUUF to gather and be sustained and inspired to go out and scatter once more.

Giving to this community is not really about what you get here, though I hope you get a great deal. Rather it is about giving more so that you can create more.

The church is not a fee for service institution, here you are not treated like consumers first. At church we operate by a different kind of equation. Here we pay it forward and receive from those who came before. Eventually it gets harder to know when exactly you are giving and when you are receiving, because both really happen simultaneously. Here you are not valued for what you do or what you know. You are seen as a worthy human being, with many gifts, hopes, yearnings, curious minds and open hearts.

The Celebration Sunday service is called Loving the Hell Out of this World, for that's what we do.

My great hope is that you come, to the services, that you pledge generously that you are reminded of the great good this community creates in the world. Reminded of the possibilities and love that you create together.

Celebration Sunday is about celebrating community, all you do, who you are.

I very much hope to see you on April 6 (at the SINGLE service at 10 am!).

I hope you are as eager as I will be to come to church again that Sunday morning and see all your bright faces.

There is so very much to celebrate together!

Religious Exploration

Love Beyond Belief

Emmie Schlobohm, Director of Religious Exploration

How does music affect you? I have heard it called the language of emotion and "the quickening art" and I whole-heartedly agree! This past month, on the day before our Pacific Northwest District's Assembly, I participated together with fellow religious professionals – ministers, religious educators, and music directors – in a day-long workshop investigating the power of music and the spoken word. Our day was spent with Reverend Dr. Thandeka, founder of Affect Theology, which investigates the links between religion and emotions using insights from neuroscience. We went through various engaging and informative exercises exploring the power of connection and synchronicity between music and message. I was especially moved by a particular exercise that had each of us paired with a musician as we read a selection of our choice while music played. The difference between the message spoken without music and with music was striking. And more so when the delivery was "directed" by someone who understood the flow of words and music combined.

As I go forward from this experience, I am inspired and energized to create more engaging and intentional time in my ministry to families. I am excited to see how the stories we tell as a part of every class in RE every Sunday can be enhanced by playing music in the background. I will encourage our youth to include music in their time together as a way to deepen their experience of the sacred. Many other ideas on how to apply what I've learned are bubbling up for our class rooms and beyond. If music moves you and you'd like to share and enhance the experience with our children and youth, please talk with me and, together, we can create a more profound environment for exploration and discovery.

Bridging Sunday

Emmie Schlobohm, DRE

Calling all high school seniors! If you have been associated with our church in your life, we want you to be part of Bridging Sunday on May 4! Please contact your Director of Religious Exploration, Emmie Schlobohm, at dre2014@boiseuu.org right away. Plans are afoot and we want you to be a part of them.

Child Dedication

Emmie Schlobohm, DRE

Our children are an essential and life-affirming part of our congregation. Unitarian Universalists believe that each child brings new life and hope into the world and we, here at BUUF, include a special ceremony to dedicate children during a Sunday service. If you would like to have your child(ren) dedicated please note that May 11 (Mother's Day) is the next scheduled date. The Rev. Dana Worsnop and Emmie Schlobohm, our Director of Religious Exploration will be performing the dedication. For more information, or to indicate your interest, please contact Emmie at 658-1710.

The Great BUUF Easter Can Hunt is Fast Approaching

Please help us stock the BUUF Food Pantry!

Three years ago, we started a new tradition of turning our yearly Easter Egg Hunt into a non-perishable canned food drive. It has been a great success and we're doing it again this year. Up until Easter Sunday, April 20, please bring cans of food for the children to find in our annual Great BUUF Easter Can Hunt. You can deposit canned food items in the Bunny Bins in each vestibule anytime during office hours or on Sundays.

Board Game Night!

Debbie Espen

Intergenerational! Fun! Last time we played Sorry! and laughed as we kept saying "Sorry!" Come play with us - bring your favorite games or play what others bring. Friday, April 4, 7 PM, South Wing, BUUF.

Mark your Calendars! Merry Month of May Family Festival

On Saturday, May 17, your Religious Exploration Team is hosting an all-ages celebration with fun, food, and fellowship from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Please look for details on the online BUUF Bulletin, the BUUF and Religious Exploration at BUUF Facebook pages, and on the bulletin board in the north vestibule.

Transitions

Transitioning Despite a Twist or Two on the Road

Jeanette Ross

As helpful as the UUA can be in guiding us through the transition to a new settled minister, there can be surprises on the road. The Interim Ministry Team is not only marching on; we dramatized some of what was suggested in our Affirmative Inquiry workshop at our March 16 service.

So far, we have summarized the entire workshop and written several "provocative proposals," which were the source for the March service. More formally, a subset of the IMT team will present a report that captures what congregants most appreciate about their experience here, as well as what they would like to see in the future. This report, once reviewed by the entire IMT team, including Dana, will be forwarded to the board and made available, as it may prove useful, to the upcoming Search committee.

The AI process is nearly complete. IMTT's task force will present a final report summarizing all responses at AI workshop, to complement the provocative proposals, which were boldly interpreted at the March 16 service. The task force is preparing a draft of that report, which will be considered, modified as desired by the entire IMTT team before it is submitted to the Board and also the new Search committee.

What's ahead? IMTT will consider this in the next couple of months and pass on suggestions to our Board.

Stay posted! We have another year and more ahead in the transition process.

Committees

Fellowship Connections

David Woito

Is a new committee that is tasked with helping members connect with opportunities in BUUF in order to develop a richer experience. Recent examples include the launching of new Chalice Circles (we are still looking for a Nampa/Caldwell facilitator), the activities and opportunities display in one of the vestibules, and the help wanted ads in the newsletter. This committee currently has only one member, so please let Dave Woito know if you are interested in helping out! If you are looking for richer ways to connect with BUUF please contact Dave at dave.woito2014@hp.com.

New Part-time Building & Grounds Coordinator: Chad DeGraw

Mary Schwartzman

In December, 2013 the Board approved a pilot project for a temporary part-time B & G Coordinator funded by a generous grant from a Fellowship member. The position began March 2014 and ends June 2015. After an extensive job search and interview process by the Personnel Committee, Chad De Graw was hired for this new post.

Chad comes to us with a varied background in facilities management, and most recently 7 years as Facilities Specialist for Healthwise, Inc. in Boise. His task for BUUF is not to replace the volunteers that do so much work around BUUF but coordinate our efforts and develop a pro-active efficient process. This also provides an opportunity for the "systematic transfer of knowledge" from our long term volunteers who have pioneered many of these jobs.

The goal is to develop a good long term system for taking care of our building and grounds; quantify what it takes and what it costs. Chad is excited to learn about us, our needs and things that need to be fixed. Please feel free to contact Chad directly at chad.degraw2014@boiseuu.org, Mobile 447-7707 or call the BUUF office.

A warm BUUF welcome to Chad! Welcome to pioneering!

Board Approves Updates to the BUUF Policy on Giving

In 2012, the BUUF Board of Directors established a Policy to clarify the process by which BUUF receives gifts. In February, the Board approved three new updates to the Policy, which include:

  1. A streamlined Gift Acceptance Process now has a "Quick and Easy Approach" for gifts that affect only one committee or entity. The Program Ministry Council (PMC) manages the process for other gifts to expedite the review by committees and entities. Contact Cathy Carmen or David Fitch at BUUFPMC2014@gmail.com if you have a potential gift.
  2. The Board will now review any gift valued at over $2,000. In the original version, it was the Finance Committee that had this responsibility. For gifts valued under $2,000, the PMC has this discretion.
  3. A section was added to describe the Pacific Northwest District (PNWD) program called the Chalice Lighter Program. BUUF has benefited from this association as with a stipend to help pay for the sanctuary floor in 2006. Each Member of BUUF may consider becoming a Chalice Lighter to help PNWD congregations fund their growth through two or three $15 (or more) contributions per year.

The BUUF community is grateful for the generosity of our members and friends. We hope all will look at this document to learn of the many ways you can contribute to making BUUF a bigger and brighter community. The policy is available in the Financial Information section of our Governance archive.

Program Ministry Council – Spring Updates!

Cathy Carmen, PMC Co-Chair

The PMC has been considering ways to better align our program year (Aug.-May) with BUUF's fiscal year (July 1-June 31). What we propose is for committees to adopt a year-round calendar. It is our hope this concept can be "fleshed out" in the following, interrelated ways:

  1. We propose for the 2014-15 fiscal year to fund all committees and groups within the PMC at the same levels as this past year (2013-14 levels). With a flat trend in BUUF budget available to committees/groups, we are reluctant to ask committees to "go through the motions" of formal budget requests only to receive the same budget as last year. This approach assumes we have a successful Annual Giving Drive (AGD) so we can fund at current levels AND raise additional funds to have in reserve in the event programs wish to expand.
  2. Instead of writing up an Annual Report in May, we suggest that committees/groups meet to evaluate how this past year has gone. This meeting could take a variety of forms and be held to accommodate committee's schedules. A retreat could be held over the summer. Or, this could take place at a special meeting, presumably early in the next budget cycle. In place of the Annual Report, we'd ask committees to summarize their vision/mission statements and share in two-three sentences what they have accomplished.
  3. A retreat or meeting could accomplish any number of things. The time together could be used to review mission/vision statements and goals and weigh those against what has been done in the past year. It could be used to consider how money has been spent and how that aligns with the committee's stated mission/vision. This is called mission-based budgeting and something BUUF's is beginning to consider at all levels within the church. It is also a good time to consider changes or updates to those important guiding principles, if needed.
  4. Finally, the PMC encourages your committee to look toward the future. Extend your mission/vision 3-5 years into BUUF's future. What planning needs to happen now to begin to put the foundation in place for those goals to grow? If more money was available, how might you be able to spend it to further your long-term vision?

Let us continue this conversation! Strand Leaders will be in contact with ALL the committees within the PMC to ensure questions are answered and concerns addressed. Who are those leaders? Check out the BUUF Organizational Chart in the Governance archive on our website.

Fundraising News: Silent Auction, May 4 to 18

Claudia Fernsworth

Our next All Silent Auction will be in the South Wing Hall, May 4 to 18. Bring you new or slightly used donations to church any Sunday and mark it "For the Silent Auction". Toys, kitchen items, decorative items, furniture, services such as custom knitting, crocheting or sewing, or gardening—just about anything.

Oh, yes, and food—special desserts such as pies, cakes and cheesecakes are good items. If you make a special food, write it up and we will offer it with the buyer and creator mutually agreeing on a date for delivery.

Donation forms will be on line at our website: boiseuu.org as well as on the hospitality table near the coffee and on the volunteer desk in the office. please donate ASAP.

Help will be needed on Friday May 2 and Saturday May 3 for set up.

Clean up help will be needed Sundays May 18 and May 25.

Help will be needed with inputting the items on a computer and generating the bid sheets.

If you can help with any of these things, contact Claudia Fernsworth.

Welcome to the BUUF Financial Corner

David Woito

The Finance committee met and reviewed BUUF current revenues and expenses. It was noted that payments towards financial commitments (pledges) was beginning to lag behind expectations. The quarterly pledge statement is in the mail. Please review your statement.

The BUUF budget is this year's financial plan. Current expenditures are staying in line with revenues. In February the board voted to increase expenditures by $3500 to give the Annual Giving Drive team monies for the appeal. This increase represents about a 1% fundraising burden on our budget, impressive control for a non-profit organization.

Just like your household when income decreases, we need to look for opportunities to either increase income and/or decrease expenses. When you receive your pledge statement, consider paying your financial commitment. If possible, place a little more in the plate on Sunday. Be a good steward of resources at BUUF: turn off the lights, shut off the water, be frugal with thermostat changes, etc.

Bridge Event Center

Jolene Schow

The Bridge Event Center wants to support you and help make all of your events go smoothly. If you are planning any group event lager than a committee meeting, please call us. We will help avoid conflicting activities and provide helpful resources to ease your job. Thanks!

Please give Karen Raese or Cathy Carmen a call (891-8081). Be sure to visit our newly revised website which has lots of helpful information: www.bridgeeventcenter.com.

Calling for "Comfort Food" Volunteers!

Susan Kelley

The Congregational Care Team has been organizing meals (comfort food) to members and friends of our Fellowship for many years. The meals have proved to be a tremendous help in times of need to those recipients who are house bound or recovering from a hospital stay or surgery.

We are updating our comfort food program list of volunteers! A volunteer makes and delivers meals and spends a little time visiting, if that's requested or needed. If you enjoy cooking a meal (or two) and would like to be part of this outreach program, please send an email to Debbie Johnson (debbiejohnson2014@cableone.net) or Susan Kelley (sukelley2014@deloitte.com) indicating your interest. More information about the details will be shared with you at that time.

Thank you for your interest. We look forward to hearing from you!

ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Do You Take Pride in Our Building? Please Come!

The Interiors Committee, BEC and RE are sponsoring a cleanup and touch-up day at the Fellowship Saturday, April 19 from 10am. to 1pm to prepare for the summer. If you are able to make it for part or all of the time please call Nancy at the office, 658-1710. Bring a sack lunch if you are going to stay for the whole time. Muffins and rolls will be provided in the morning. If you have a squeegee and bucket, please bring them.

We will be sponging the chairs in the Sanctuary as well as adding pads to the chair feet, touching up paint in the hallways, washing the windows: inside and out, wiping down the tables in the classrooms. Thank you, the Interiors Committee.

You Won't Want to Miss This!

It's time for the Coffeehouse. Here's an opportunity for members and friends to share their talents in a popular potpourri format of entertainment, and for listeners to enjoy an intimate evening of music, poetry, dance, comedy, or storytelling. Mike Lemieux and Will Smith will be two of many performing. Youth are encouraged to participate; we will also have a film for the younger crowd. So dust off your poetry book, or shine your tap shoes and join us. If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Harms at either nancy2014@boiseuu.org or 658-1710. This will be the 2nd Saturday Fellowship Fun Night, April 12, 6 pm. This will be held in the North Wing.

Listeners, mark your calendars now and plan to bring friends along with a potluck dish to share at the beginning of the evening. We'll have a movie for the younger crowd. The only bread you'll need is donation for drinks.

Sage April

Tom von Alten

The BUUF Sages meet twice most months for interesting presentations, discussion and a no-host breakfast at the Kopper Kitchen (2661 Airport Way), 9:30 am, second and fourth Thursdays. Newcomers are always welcome, and we're a friendly bunch. This month, part of the 28-strong contingent Boise sent to the Pacific Northwest District annual meeting in Spokane will report back. Wanda (and maybe Bryan) Jennings will speak and share photos from the event on April 10. Our special guest on April 24 will be the U.S. Attorney for Idaho, Wendy Olson. (Thanks to our Sages regular, her Uncle Bob for arranging that!)

Contact Tom von Alten at 378-1217 or tva2014@fortboise.org for more information, directions, or if you'd like to be added to our reminder list.

Hoping for the Best?

Jeanette Ross

March 16 2014 program for BUUF's Humanists was expected to be a continuation of how we Humanists express our convictions from one day to another. This became a free-flowing series of reminiscences out loud, looking back, living in the present moment. One of us considered how much she has learned about herself from her professional work with clients in great distress. This led me to reflect on how much the homeless at Interfaith Shelter have enriched my life and challenged my assumptions. A guest presenter's homily on hope in a recent BUUF service provoked a surprising variety of responses. Someone living with health challenges has traded present-mindedness for chimeras projected into the future; another among us considers an attitude of hopefulness to be an essential resource.

Happily, we aren't obliged to find common agreement. Discussion did lead us to consider other words typically found in a religious context. In the spirit of reclaiming such words we will use our early Easter meeting, April 13, to look at language around resurrection and rebirth in their largest sense. Can we benefit from seasonal change to nurture our own growth? Join our green and growing community sharing what matters to us, Sunday April 13 at 11:15, in the BUUF library.

Want To Present a Sunday Worship Service?

Wanda Jennings

Do you have some ideas which fit BUUF's mission and goals and which you would like to share with the congregation? Could you create a presentation which will give the congregation a spiritual take-away within a 20 minute time limit? If you would like to submit a proposal for a Sunday Worship Service please pick up a green BUUF Sunday Worship Service Proposal Form in the rack as you enter the office and submit it to Wanda Jennings or Rev. Dana Worsnop. (The form is also available as a Word .doc or PDF from the "Related Links" on our Sunday calendar page.)

Chalice Circle News

Spring Chalice Circle 6 Session Series begin SOON!

Chalice circles are small group discussion groups that meet two times a month. They follow a curriculum designed by Rev. Dana in which participants share insights and thoughts about various topics and readings.

Please sign up for the time and place that is best for you. There will be a max. of 10 people per group so sign up today on the clip board in the vestibules or email: nancy2014@boiseuu.org.

Cameron Crow – facilitator

Where: Boise Main Library

When: Tuesdays at 6:30 – 8:30, beginning April 8

Wanda Jennings – Facilitator

Where: BUUF

When: Mondays at 7:00, beginning: March 31

Louise Jacobsen – Facilitator

Where: BUUF

When: Wednesdays at 1:00, beginning: April 9

Matthew Sabin – Facilitator

Where: TBA

When: Wednesdays at 7:00, beginning: April 9

Delegate Report

Jay Wechselberger

On the weekend of March 14-16 28 people from BUUF, including ten youth, traveled to Spokane for the annual District Assembly of the Pacific Northwest District, UUA. Out of that group, four were designated as delegates. These four, Leslie Miller, Morgaine Silverthorn, Matthew Sabin, and Jay Wechselberger attended the business meeting on Saturday afternoon to vote on BUUFs behalf. They cast votes on such issues as election of district officers, annual dues, and acceptance of the district financial report. They also heard reports from the district president, Rev. Carol McKinley, and various staff. There isn't room here to detail any of this information, but you are more than welcome to contact any of the delegates to find out more.

This short business meeting was only one small part of the entire weekend's inspiring and fun activities. There will be more information coming about the rest of the weekend, including a summer service later in the year.

Quest Update

The Quest Ministry Team which includes, Jackie Groves, Rev. Dana Worsnop, Bill Renwick, Mark Zimmerer, Jay Wechselberger, Patricia Heeb, Lynne Tolk and Mike Philley, will be writing regular newsletter columns in future issues to keep you informed of Quest news. In the meantime, we have a couple contributions from team members and Quest participants who were asked if they had a comment they wanted to share with the congregation:

"... This is what I was born for, to look, to listen. Spirit of Life, I take your hand in my hand so that you may know that you are not alone... Quest =deepening friendships, learning spiritual practices, discovering who I am becoming. Pay attention. Breath together, love one another..." - Wanda Jennings, Quest participant

"Look deeply at life- a journey of the spirit burrows through bedrock." a haiku from Mike Philley, Quest Ministry Team member and Spiritual Companion

"Join Quest and grow. I'm rejuvenated by excellent instructors, meditation and a fun group!" - Arlene Baldwin, Quest participant

Travel Group Heads to China

In April 2013 Sue and Mike Philley traveled in China for close to a month. After experiencing the mind-boggling urbanity of Shanghai, they went to remote Yunnan Province and joined a photographic tour of the ancient "Tea-horse" caravan route to the Tibetan plateau. Colorful rural markets, sacred Taoist and Buddhist shrines, and diverse minority ethnic groups created a fascinating cultural milieu and sense of going back in time to China's traditional roots. Sue and Mike will show photographs and talk about their trip at the BUUF Travel Group on Friday, April 18, at 7:00 p.m. in the Channing room. All are invited to attend. We hope to see you.

The Other Book Club

Erin Logan

Come join us for lively discussion on books and other topics. We meet on the second Sunday of the month from 7 to 8:30 PM.

April 13 we will be discussing Delta Wedding, by Eudora Welty. This is a joint meeting with The Classics Book Group. We will meet at BUUF in the Junior High Room (Channing).

May 4, we are meeting one week early. We will be discussing The Devil and Miss Prym by Paul Coelho. We will meet at Patti Raino's home, 4905 W. Outlook Ave., Boise, 336-2280

June 8, we will be discussing Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver. We will meet at the home of Erin Logan, 2116 N. 17th St., Boise. 208.336.4960

July 13, we will be discussing A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki. We will meet at the home of Jane Breckenridge.

If you'd like to receive our emails, let me know at erins49602014@msn.com.

Happy Reading.

Landscape Work Parties

Mary Schwartzman

Two work parties are planned this year so spread the word and help us make hay while the sun shines.

Working together on these beautiful grounds is the best mental health you can find! No experience needed. Just bring gloves & yourselves.

April 12 9:00-12:00 Clean planting beds and cut ornamental grasses

May 17 9:00-12:00 Plant newly donated plants from JAYKER'S Whole Sale Nursery & Sunflowers for Gathering & Scattering.

More information coming on these generous projects. Susie & Jim Nicholson have volunteered to be our hospitality hosts.

Ever seen a Cryptid?

Debbie Espen

Cryptozoology is the study of strange, impossible, legendary creatures - which people keep seeing! Seen something odd? Come tell us about it, and hear other's stories.

FringeTalk will be meeting on Friday April 18 (instead of our usual Thursday!) at 7 PM, in the South Wing, BUUF. Questions? Email debbieespen2014@yahoo.com with Fringe in the subject line.

Mother Earth

Debbie Espen

We UUs sing "Help us take care of the Earth". We will be celebrating ways we can do that at the next meeting of Exploring Pagan/Nature Spirituality, Friday, April 11, 7 PM, South Wing, BUUF. Questions? Email debbieespen2014@yahoo.com with Pagan in the subject line.

Adopt-A-Place: Places needing to be adopted

Mary Schwartzman

If you like to garden alone or in small groups consider adopting the following areas. No experience needed. You choose the hours. Our gardeners are happy to train you.

-Dead heading flowers in the Courtyard

-Herb Garden: Weeding and harvesting

-Iris care: Help with deadheading and maintenance

-Compost Bins: Gradual emptying and organizing

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Understanding the Palestinian/Israeli Conflict

Debbie Espen

We will screen an explanatory documentary film and/or have discussion, as needed. Come and join in - bring your questions and concerns! UUs for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME) will meet on Sat April 26, 7 PM, South Wing, BUUF. Questions? Email debbieespen2014@yahoo.com with UUJME in the subject line.

John Harms Tie Day – April 13

Nancy Harms

John Harms died in January, 2008 at the age of 87. At his memorial service, family and friends were asked to choose as a memento one of the 100 neckties John had accumulated over his lifetime. This simple act prompted Roy Montague to create "John Harms Tie Day". This April 13 (John's birthday) will be the sixth "John Harms Tie Day". Members and friends are asked to wear one of John's ties (or one their own) in memory of a man who rarely missed a Sunday service. John always wore a suit and tie to church. Originally, he wanted to offer something of the familiar to visitors who may have left a more traditional faith tradition. Eventually, it became his hallmark attire. John and his wife Vi, who died in 2001, served BUUF in many capacities over 40+ years. Many will miss John's summer services where he wove musings from his Baptist upbringing with insights on the Dead Sea scrolls, the Ebionites, current politics and sociology, and stories of Gooding County farm life in the 1930s (often in one 20 minute sermon). He was irascible and tender-hearted, humble and vain, serious and clever. His niece, Linda, said it best, "John Harms was an unforgettable man, an original even in a state and region that produces a lot of vigorously independent characters and fearless truth seekers and speakers." So please, wear a tie on April 13 — and think of John.

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