BUUF News – April 2015

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Contents

FEATURED THIS MONTH

Butterflies and Dreams Transforming

Daring to Dream Together

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President's Message: A letter to Bessie

In The Interim

Our Ministerial Search

RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION

Games at the Heart of the Family

Child Dedication

Young People Nowadays; Sr. High Bridging

Summer RE Coordinator Needed

COMMITTEES

Financial Corner

Happy Birthday to Us!

JUSTICE OUTREACH

Plate Partner

Join the EBT Market Volunteers

Thanks for the Generous Donation

 

ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Adult RE: Modern Physics & Spirituality

Adult RE/IFJ: Tarnas Returns to Boise!

ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Let's All Go to General Assembly!

Coffee House Fun

All Ages Welcome!

Humanist Spiritual Practices

Quest: A Spiritual Journey...

Sage Pedigree

Traveling to Costa Rica: 50 Years of Change

BUUF Camping 2015

The Other Book Club

Free Popcorn and Star Trek

UUs for JUSTICE in the Middle East

Celebrating the Goddess Easter

John Harms Tie Day – April 12

NEW submission deadline:

Noon Monday, for weekly publication on Thursday. Read more!

Butterflies and Dreams Transforming
The 2015 Annual Giving Drive

Butterfly theme for the Annual Giving Drive

We are leaving our "chrysalis", and preparing to call our new minister. Transition has become Transforming. We invite you to gather as a community on Celebration Sunday, April 19 to celebrate the ways our faith helps us dig in and reach out to make a real difference in the world. In this single service at 10 am, we will celebrate all that BUUF is and will be and make our pledges for the coming year. We welcome the Rev. Barbara Wells ten Hove to share the pulpit with Rev. Dana, speaking on the topic "Alive with Faith, Growing and Transforming from the Ground Up." Mike Lemieux and Quality Time will play and we'll share a meal together after the service. Childcare and children's activities provided including the planting of a Butterfly Art Garden. Come share the inspiration!

The Daring to Dream Together
Capital Campaign

Capital Campaign launch circle

We are also launching a four-year capital campaign to fully pay off our mortgage, freeing up approximately $40,000 per year to make our dreams possible. It is additional to your Giving Drive pledge, but please consider this opportunity to bring our future closer. The Launch Circle has offered $88,000 of matching funds. Through interest savings and the match, your dollar can more than triple its value to BUUF. If it is your first participation in a capital campaign, you will join many who have been the builders of the home we share.

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It's the Last of Its Kind

Jen Grush-Dale, editor

Why, do you ask? As you may (or may not) have heard, we are transitioning our newsletter from a monthly paper publication to a weekly e-publication. Beginning in May, the newsletter will be published once a week, on Thursdays. This will mean a new level of coordination, but it also means more opportunity.

Snippet of the new News

Over the last couple of months, a task force has been meeting to make this transition smooth. The Board is encouraging this move to save on postage and it's environmentally more friendly. For those who do not have email or need to have a paper copy for accessibility reasons, please make arrangements with Nancy. We will have a very limited number of paper copies available.

If you are a regular contributor, I will be sending out more detailed information about deadlines and other submission requirements. The newsletter2014@boiseuu.org will remain the same. Always submit articles to that address. Part of this transition also means bringing on more help. An editorial team is being recruited to help shift the task from one person (me) to several.

More updates and the new submission requirements will also be posted on our website and Facebook page for reference. Please feel free to contact me or Nancy if you have any questions or concerns. This month's printer-friendly PDF's page 11 has an example of our new look - check it out!

President's Message: A letter to Bessie

Bessie La Budde was a beloved congregant who upon her death left BUUF a generous bequest with the stipulation that it be put into "the BUUF endowment fund or to the construction of a new sanctuary or to a permanent feature which will advance the goals of BUUF or contribute to the joy of its members."

Dear Bessie,

We were talking about you at the March board meeting.

The board made a decision to use your bequest to begin an endowment fund to signify our belief and plan to be here for the long run. I hope that that is the kind of legacy you had hoped to leave. Some of us did joke that you might just come visit us if you weren't happy with that decision. In fact we were hoping you might make the visit. (Although being UU's we didn't think it likely.)

Thank you for your stalwart belief in us, despite the fact that we didn't always live up to your expectations. We weren't always as generous as you'd liked us to be in donations to Whittier School where you pored much love and compassion and elbow grease. I think you'd be happy to know though that we continue to be strong supporters of the Backpack program that is making sure that kids at Whittier have food on the weekends. On MLK Day we had about 40 UU's stuffing 2000 sacks so that kids throughout the Valley would not go hungry.

I miss your always erudite and often skewering remarks about the state of politics and the world. Unfortunately, I cannot report that human have figured out how to get along any better or that our leaders are looking out for the needs of our children generations hence. I am glad that you were.

You'd be excited to be a part of all the happenings at the Fellowship this year. We are on the cusp of calling a new minister. We'll hear the candidate preach two times on April 26th and May 3rd and everyone will have an opportunity to meet with her or him in a smaller setting during the week. We have learned a lot about ourselves and what we want from our minister in the past couple of years with Reverend Dana as our guide. There is lots of expectation and enthusiasm for the task. We are almost there.

As the congregation works to embrace year round stewardship, I know that your practical no nonsense self would be glad to know that we have begun a campaign to pay off our mortgage in four years. The Stewardship team has done an amazing job of finding early adopters who will match pledges going forward and reduce our interest payments at the front end. BUUF is blessed with people like you who believe in our mission and the possibilities for our future.

So, thanks again, Bessie, for trusting us with your legacy and for believing in this beloved BUUF community.

Yours in fellowship,

Roger

(on behalf of the congregation)

In The Interim

There is so much afoot these days at BUUF. The April and May calendars are filling up with all sorts of events – Easter is upon us, the youth will be bridging on April 12.

Celebration Sunday is April 19 and you get to celebrate all you have accomplished and look to the future that you have been preparing for.

Celebration Sunday then leads to one of the biggest events in the history of this fellowship – Candidating Week. Between April 26 and May 3, everyone will at last get a chance to meet the candidate your Ministerial Search Committee has been looking for on your behalf. It's been fully 27 years since this congregation has called a new minister.

You've been in the chrysalis stage long enough. It's time to come out and spread your wings. Transformation as humans and as communities is never complete, yet you are moving into a new phase. One you have been waiting on for a good while now. BUUF has the power to transform lives that then transform the world.

This is ultimately the mission of the church – to make a difference in people's lives, to be a community of compassion and care, memory and hope, sustenance and strength, faith and fire, gratitude and generosity – and then to carry those qualities into the world.

On to the next stage of transformation. Unfurl your colorful wings and fly!

Come to Celebration Sunday – remember it's a single service at 10 am April 19 – to celebrate all you have done and to pledge yourselves to the future of BUUF's presence in your lives and in Boise.

Then keep coming back for all the events of Candidating Week and meet that future.

This is what all our work together during the interim period has been leading to.

I can tell you that I've spoken to each of the pre-candidates and told them without reservation, what a fine congregation you are, what great people you are to do ministry with. I've told them how wonderful you are and how you are on the brink of being even more wonderful.

Bravo! Brava!

Let's celebrate!

With love,

Dana

Are We There Yet?

David Clopton

I'm not a fan of long trips in the car. My knees become immobile and my brain gets sluggish. You may feel that way about our search for a new settled minister. It seems like we've been on this road forever but stick with us a little while longer because the journey is nearly over. Soon after you read this article the Ministerial Search Committee will be sweating out "offer day" when we're allowed to begin negotiation with our favorite candidate. All of the other "in search" congregations will be doing the same thing so it promises to be an exciting day.

If all goes according to our plan we'll be announcing our selected candidate the first week of April and he or she will spend a week including two Sundays with us April 26-May 3, 2015. Everyone will have a variety of opportunities to meet the candidate. We ask that you wait until the minister starts, probably in August or September to advocate for a cause or position. No one-on-one meetings will be available during Candidating Week.

At the end of the week there will be a ministerial vote. A ministerial vote is different from other types of voting that we do here at Boise UU.

It is not just a matter of getting a majority, or even a super-majority. The vote is essentially our way of demonstrating to the candidate how much support she or he would have at the outset, should she or he accept our call. Most candidates will not accept a call if they receive less than a 95% "yes" vote. There is no second choice or backup plan. A "no" vote of less than 95% means that the search is unsuccessful, that we go for another year with no settled minister, and we start the search process again with a different search committee.

Needless to say, the Search Committee is hoping you'll support our work by supporting our choice. We're happy to answer questions. Find us at services on Sunday or via our contact info in the directory. Committee members are Wanda Jennings (chair), David Clopton, Elton Hall, Linden Boice, Lori Watsen, Patty Nakaoki, and Will Smith'

Religious Exploration

Games at the Heart of the Family for April

Emmie Schlobohm, Director of Religious Exploration (DRE)

How many times during the day do we need to make a choice? Who gets to go first? Who lights the chalice at the dinner table or in the RE class? Who gets the top hat in Monopoly (my favorite piece)? The list is endless. Rock Paper Scissors is a great way to help with those choices or just to pass the time while you're waiting in line, but what about coming up with three different items that are connected in a positive way to the next ones rather than just to crush/cut/stop them?

Since September, in our ever-evolving quest to help families incorporate Full Week Faith into their lives, I dedicate my monthly article to a well-known game and change it up a bit. The games have been familiar to most of you and you can play the traditional versions of them to your heart's content and enjoy the together time they create. My goal, however, is to suggest ways to go deeper with your children on your shared faith development journey using the template of a familiar game while expanding the rules and the "playground" to our community and the wider world.

For the month of April, our game is Rock Paper Scissors - with a twist. During those times of choice, think up different groups of three that connect in different ways. For example, life cycles in nature: Caterpillar Cocoon Butterfly. Cycles in our everyday lives: Smile Laugh Hug. And cycles in play: Breath Bubble Pop! Where else do your children find connections in the world around them? Explore the possibilities of bringing more wonder and wondering into your lives and let me know how it goes.

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 ourselves to support our children's spiritual journeys during a Sunday service. f you would like to have your child(ren) dedicated please note that April 5 (Easter Sunday) 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.

Young People Nowadays... Senior High Bridging & Coming of Age Youth

Emmie Schlobohm, DRE

Mark your calendar and make plans to attend two of our most poignant and amazing Sunday services! On April 12, our graduating seniors will share their journeys and vision for their futures in a service created by the senior high youth. Come celebrate their bridging from youth to young adulthood!

On May 10, our Coming of Age youth will share their statements of faith that they have developed over the years and through the journey of discovery that has been our Coming of Age program for the last eight months.

See our next crop of community leaders and be amazed!

Summer RE Coordinator Needed

Emmie Schlobohm, DRE

Summer brings a different look to Religious Exploration for children currently in preschool through sixth grade. Starting June 14, 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 3.

Committees

Financial Corner

David Woito

Finance

Welcome to the BUUF Financial Corner. Pledge collection increased in February and we are back on track. Both pledges and spend are right on 100% of plan. Thank you and congratulations everyone. Offering plate is down a little and Chelan is way down due to tenant issues and now it is vacant and receiving much needed repairs. So we are a little under on total revenue. Look for the mailings on the Annual Giving Drive and the Dare to Dream Capital Campaign soon.

Happy Birthday to Us!

Jolene Schow

This marks the 10th year that the Bridge Event Center has been around. For those who aren't familiar with BEC, here is some information to assist you:

Q. What is the Bridge Event Center and where did it come from?

A. The seed for the Bridge Event Center germinated around 2003-2004. After extensive research, which involved input from the Fellowship in general and specific experts (e.g., accounting, legal, etc.) a Business Plan was developed, presented, and approved in 2005.

Today, it is an outreach and rental arm of the Fellowship that generates income by renting facility space to people and groups in the community. Weddings and Receptions are a significant source of our clients.

Q. What was the Mission for developing BEC?

A. Our Business Plan stated: "Use the BUUF building and grounds to generate income, while preserving our own use and the unique features and quality of the site and extending the useful life of the facilities for future generations of members."

The Operating Budget benefits from income generated through renting out our facility. However, other significant benefits are felt by the Fellowship because of the existance of BEC. We cover many maintenance and upkeep costs as a part of our effort to keep the facility "company ready" – both indoors and outdoors. We also provide, free of charge, support to committees planning events.

Q. How much income has been generated in the 10 years of BEC?

A. Because of changes in the accounting processes at BUUF over the years, that number is hard to accurately state, but on average, BEC has turned over between $2,500 – 6,000 per year to the Fellowship. Beyond that, however, are the preventative savings we have provided as a result of our attention to additional maintenance and improvements around the facility.

Stay tuned for the continuing series of articles celebrating 10 years of the Bridge Event Center. Next time we will share how we provide community outreach in unexpected ways.

Please feel free to get in touch with us any time you might have a question or need the services of BEC. Take a look at our website: bridgeeventcenter.com or call one of our Event Coordinators, Cathy Carmen or Karen Raese.

Justice Outreach

Plate Partner

Debra Smith

In April, our offering is dedicated to two institutions that prepare and nurture the ministers of our faith: The Starr King School for the Ministry (Berkeley) and Meadville Lombard Theological School (Chicago). Rev. Dana nominated these two schools as a Plate Partner, and it is particularly appropriate to have chosen them this month, when we will call our new minister. We hereby acknowledge our commitment to the greater UU cause of sustaining our free faith.

The president of Starr King School, Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt, writes: "Our roots are deep in the fertile soil of Unitarian Universalism, and our branches embrace the multi-religious life and learning that will matter most in this new century... For 111 years, we have prepared people for Unitarian Universalist ministry, and for progressive religious leadership in society."

The Meadville Lombard Masters of Divinity degree prepares students for ordained ministry in roles ranging from parish ministry and chaplaincy to not-for-profit leadership. Its program allows students to reside in their own communities, attending classes in Chicago from time to time. This model acknowledges that "Ministry happens in the real world, so that's how—and where—we learn to be fully prepared."

As is our tradition, 25% of our offering will go to this noble cause. If you would like to designate an additional gift, please indicate that on the memo line of your check, or by marking an envelope to direct your gift. Thank you for your generosity.

Join the EBT Market Volunteers

Patty Nakaoki

In April, both the Capital City Market and the Boise Farmers' Market start the season with their downtown Saturday morning offerings. For several years, BUUF volunteers have helped both markets serve their EBT customers (Electronic Benefits Transfer - i.e. food stamps) by staffing their EBT tables. Volunteers are scheduled for two hour shifts only for dates when they are available. You can help EBT folks, help both markets, experience some great people-watching all while enjoying your Saturday morning coffee. If you would be interested in helping out at one or both of the markets, contact Gary Wyke, 841-2304 or Patty Nakaoki, 409-0807.

Thanks for the Generous Donation

Susan C. Philley, President

TFI logo

TransForm Idaho (TFI) is grateful for the generous donations that so many BUUF members and friends contributed through February's Social Justice Plate Offerings. TransForm Idaho received $851 which will help support statewide outreach efforts to engage more individuals in the work of influencing public policy.

Planning and Goal Setting for Spring and Summer—Great Ideas... Great Conversation...Refreshments. Wed., March 25, TransForm Idaho Citizen Lobby Corps Meeting 7:00-9:00pm. Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 6200 Garrett Street, Garden City, Idaho. For more information, email President2014@transformidaho.org. Phone 208-340-9450

TransForm Idaho's Legislative Debrief. April 17 Friday 11-1:30 p.m. A panel discussion and networking opportunity for non-profit leaders and TFI volunteers. Share what your organization did and what worked well (or not) during the 2015 Legislative Session. Let's collaborate and do better next year. $10 suggested donation includes lunch. Mariam Bingham Room, Boise Public Library. To register, please email Lauren (lkgusinow2014@gmail.com) with your full contact information including an organization, if you are representing one, and your intention to pay at the door.

For more information, email President2014@transformidaho.org or phone 208-340-9450..

Adult RE

Modern Physics & Spirituality

Dan Bacon

Today physics and spirituality are becoming entwined and beginning to say the same things as opposed to the split in the 1800s where Newtonian Physics "won" over formal religion. The course will examine micro and macro aspects of modern physics and end with spiritual connection.

Course is three sessions: Tuesdays April 7, 14, 21. 7 – 8pm.

Idaho Friends of Jung: Tarnas Returns to Boise!

Elton Hall

Idaho Friends of Jung

Idaho Friends of Jung is delighted to host Dr. Richard Tarnas again for a salon and workshop, Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25 at the Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 6200 Garrett St., Boise. At the salon, Dr. Tarnas will speak on "Is Modern Humanity Undergoing a Rite of Passage?" He holds that humanity is undergoing a fundamental collective transformation and will draw from psychology and history to illuminate this pivotal moment in human evolution. The workshop will be devoted to "Synchronicity and Its Larger Implications." Dr. Tarnas will explore this concept in Jung's work, discuss the experiential dimension of synchronistic events, and suggest their metaphysical and evolutionary implications.

The April 24 salon, 7:00-9:00pm, will be held in the sanctuary at BUUF. $25 admission. The April 25 workshop will be from 10:00am-1:00pm in the North Wing of BUUF. $40 admission.

Events & Activities

Let's All Go to General Assembly!

Bryan Jennings

UUA GA 2015 in Portland

Unitarian Universalist Association's General Assembly (GA) 2015 is coming to Portland on June 24-28 with the theme of Building a New Way. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity as this is the closest GA will be to us in a long time.

GA is a fantastic, life-changing experience. You will be amazed at the soulful worship services, workshops, great events, public witness, fun programs, and expert speakers. You will make new friends and experience being with 5000 other UUs. You could be a delegate representing BUUF at the business meetings, which are wonderful examples of democracy in action.

Go to uua.org/ga to learn more.

1. There are hotels located farther from the Oregon Convention Center which are cheaper than the GA recommended hotels.

2. Transportation on Max Light Rail is free for GA attendees.

3. We can share rides to Portland to help bring down travel expenses. Contact Wanda and Bryan Jennings about ride sharing from Boise to Portland. 362-7563 or desertfox42014@cableone.net.

4. Register before April 30 for the lowest registration price.

5. Financial Assistance from the UUA must be requested by March 31st. But there will be some scholarships available locally from BUUF after that date. (nancyharms2014@boiseuu.org or 658-1710).

6. We are encouraging our high school age youth to go to GA for special youth programs. uua.org/ga/registration/youth.

Remember, General Assembly won't be this close to home for a long, long time, so don't let this chance pass you by. See YOU in Portland!

You Won't Want to Miss This!

Nancy Harms

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. So dust off your poetry book, or shine your tap or blue suede 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 11, 6pm. 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 (and your plate and flatware) at the beginning of the evening. The only bread you'll need is donation for drinks.

All Ages Welcome!

Nancy Harms

Come Saturday, April 4 to BUUF to make butterflies. Butterflies are the theme for this year's Annual Giving Drive as well as the symbol for the Ministerial Search. We need Butterflies for decorating the Sanctuary. Come 9a.m. to noon April 4 and transform paper into butterflies.

Humanist Spiritual Practices

Jeanette Ross

Our March meeting was led by Robert Franklin, who used a new book by neuroscientist Sam Harris to lead us through a conversation about our own meditative practices. We considered those practices considered by Harris, and that was more than enough for one hour. First, is a religious faith essential to spiritual practices? Our focus was primarily on mainstream western versions of both, more particularly on mindfullness meditation, which may or may not use a 'spiritual' label for itself. We did touch upon the great variety of activities that have been found to induce a meditative state. They include routine tasks, sitting and attending to interior activity, weeding the garden, and walking, hiking, skiing.

A philosophical question essential to Sam Harris' book and eastern religious practice is the question of the core of self. Do we have some central self that is separate from the neuron system, some core that does not change, and instead directs us in some way? As with many eastern philosophies, Harris considers the core self to be a harmful illusion, the source of our discomfort. If we could escape our selfness we could experience ecstatic union with the cosmos.

Were it so, I'm not sure who would feed the baby at 2am, cook and clean up the kitchen, much less oil the clippers and pull out the orchard grass now smothering the strawberries. Maybe we could do all that in a state of merged joy? I let you decide. Meanwhile, join us next month for a more light-hearted topic, suggested by Aria and applauded all around. What rules do we chose to live by? What are your very own ten (or so) commandments? Share April 19, 11:15am in the BUUF library.

Quest: A Spiritual Journey... A Participant Perspective

Marti Gudmundson

Quest, a spiritual journey

After hearing about the Quest program while visiting my now-husband Nick Molenaar (before I moved to Idaho), I envisioned an experience that would serve as a spiritual silver bullet, elevating me to a higher awareness and dealing with and tempering negative issues that have resurfaced over my adult life. Compared to past spiritual work I'd done, I was expecting a different outcome. After Quest began, I realized I was entering with unrealistic expectations and would have to adjust them. The transformation is turning out to be much more subtle but, nonetheless, positive.

I've learned that going into the retreats and integration groups relaxed and open to experiences is my best mindset. The exercises sometimes speak to me and sometimes not. Even though we are guided to get rid of our busy mind, it isn't always easy to get away from thoughts of personal problems, "to-do" lists, future calendars, or negative feelings. I try to be present, taking with me whatever I can. The things I relish most and that keep me going are: my monthly meetings with my spiritual companion, walking the labyrinth at the retreat center, and being in "noble silence". I am content with the spirituality and growth that arises from those special moments.

Sage Pedigree

Tom von Alten

Robert Franklin has had a look inside his DNA, and will share what that's like with the BUUF Sages, on Thursday, April 9. For our second meeting, Chuck Lauterbach will take us back to visit the days of Shakespeare, Thursday, April 23. We meet 9:30 am at the Kopper Kitchen (2661 Airport Way) for a no-host breakfast and lively conversation. Contact Tom von Alten, 208 378-1217, or tva2014@fortboise.org for more information, or to be added to our e-list. Newcomers are always welcome.

Traveling to Costa Rica: 50 Years of Change

Karen Raese

As a Peace Corps Volunteer, Joan Landsberg lived in San José, the capital of Costa Rica from 1964 to '66 while she taught in the Chemistry Department at the Universidad de Costa Rica. She returned to Costa Rica a year ago after almost 50 years. In the 1960s, cars were few, the Pan American Highway was a gravel road, and oxcarts traversed the mountainous dirt roads and never got a flat tire. To get to the beach, you hopped the train, which went where bananas or cacao were grown and to the ports. The entire country had 9,999 telephones, and literacy was 97%. Volcan Irazú had just blown covering the capital with 3 to 4 inches of grey ash. Come hear Joan share observations on challenges currently facing Costa Rica on April 17 in the Channing room at BUUF. We will gather at 7:00. Light refreshments will be provided and all are welcome.

BUUF Camping 2015

Karen Raese

Get the jump on planning for summer and BUUF camping. If you want to be part of the fun consider joining BUUF friends August 14-16, 2015 for the annual BUUF camping trip at Ponderosa State Park in McCall. We share expenses (camping fees), camp sites and some meals. There are lots of fun things to do in McCall and at the campground. The number of camping sites is limited. Please let Karen Raese (craigraese2014@cs.com) or Eileen Geddings (egeddings2014@cableone.net) know that you want to reserve a spot. Contact one of us for more details.

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 8:30pm.

April 12th we will be discussing Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann. We will meet at the home of Kathy McGowan and Eric Wallace, 3496 Holl Dr., Eagle, ID 939-7215

May 3rd (not the 2nd Sunday) we will be reading Life after Life by Kate Atkinson. We will meet at the home of Patti Raino.

June 14th we will be reading Americanah by Chimamanda Adichie. Place to be determined.

July 12th we will be reading Sea Runners by Ivan Doig.

If you would like to receive our emails contact me at erins49602014@msn.com.

Happy Reading!

Photo courtesy of Barb Alexander

Free Popcorn and Star Trek

Debbie Espen

Intergenerational Trek Talk. Come see a remastered Original Star Trek episode on a big screen, then discuss it. Next showing is Friday April 24, 7PM, BUUF, Belasz Room, South Wing.

Unitarian Universalists for JUSTICE in the Middle East, Boise Chapter

Debbie Espen

How can UUs make a difference, and why should we? For information contact debbieespen2014@yahoo.com with UUJME in the subject line.

Celebrating the Goddess Easter

Debbie Espen

The next meeting and potluck of Exploring Pagan/Nature Spirituality will be Friday, April 10, 7PM in the BUUF Library. Intergenerational. Pagans and the Pagan-Curious all welcome!

John Harms Tie Day – April 12

Gwyn Reid

John 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 12 (John's birthday was April 13) will be the seventh "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 12 — and think of John and the ways you make a difference in our community.

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