Happening in July ...
TODAY, Thursday, July 16,
2 - 7 p.m.
Stowe & Raible Rooms
Courtyard Concert Series -
July 20 & 27
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Courtyard Concert Series-
Mondays in July - 7pm (Doors open at 6)
Marti Gudmundson, Music Committee Chair & Concert Series Coordinator
Come enjoy the remaining Monday evenings in July listening to a variety of local music in BUUF's lovely courtyard! Bring your friends and family & low-back chairs or blankets. Pack a picnic dinner or enjoy Nepalese and Indian food with Darjeeling Momo food truck. Bottled water will be available for sale. We hope that anyone and everyone who enjoys music will come - neighbors, friends, BUUF members and friends, folks from across the Treasure Valley.
Admission - $8 adults; $5 children under 12. Proceeds benefit the Music Program at BUUF.
July 20th - Lee Penn Sky & The Oliphants - Acoustic Americana
July 27th - Thomas Paul & Friends - master of many styles
Flyers to take and post on your favorite bulletin boards around town can be found on the volunteer sign-up table and in the Community section of the Information Center in the north entryway. Check out the BUUF-Bulletin for flyers to print out yourself (black ink works great). There are separate flyers for each band. Also, check out the Courtyard Concert Series Facebook page. Updates will go there. Thanks for spreading the word! Please contact me if you'd like to help: Marti Gudmundson, at martiloo429@gmail.com or cell - (612) 722-9132.
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July is "Healthy Community" Month at BUUF
Debra Smith
This is the month we celebrate the idea of a nation dedicated to the pursuit of happiness for all citizens. And yet America falls short of that goal, particularly in the area of health care for all. Here are two small, but not insignificant ways that you can contribute to a healthier state:
- Participate in the Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday, July 16th, between the hours of 2 and 7 in the Stowe and Raible rooms. Contact Debra Smith at 724-7262 to register for a donation appointment;
- Come to church and participate in the offertory, or designate a special amount to this month's Plate Partner: Genesis World Mission's Garden City Clinic (look in the bulletin for more information about their mission statement).
BUUF's August Plate Partner is SPAN (Suicide Prevention Action Network) Idaho, Region 4
Allie Gooding
Idaho has consistently been among the top ten states with the highest suicide rates in the nation. Suicide and non-fatal suicidal behavior are major public health problems across Idaho. It is a complex and difficult problem and solutions developed in other parts of the country may not address Idaho's needs. SPAN Idaho continues working with the citizens and communities across the state to develop and implement strategies to reduce suicide and suicidal behavior.
SPAN Idaho's mission is to eradicate suicide in Idaho through statewide advocacy, collaboration and education in best practices. SPAN Idaho, as a grassroots organization, has encouraged and recognized the importance of regional and local involvement to prevent suicide, and has developed regional chapters who organize and conduct regional and local suicide prevention training, awareness campaigns, media education, training conferences for with nationally recognized speakers, and many other activities.
The SPAN Idaho Southwest Chapter (A.K.A. Region 4) serves Mountain Home, Boise, Garden City, Eagle, Meridian, and areas to the north. More information about meetings, a regional chapter map and other resources can be viewed at spanidaho.org. There are numerous short and long-term volunteer opportunities for all ages.
Region 4's annual fund-raiser is Monday August 24 at Spurwing Golf Course. Sponsor a hole, play golf scramble, bid for silent auction items, or simply dine at the Spurwing Club. For more information: https://savetheone.afrogs.org or visit SPAN of Idaho Region 4 on Facebook. A portion of monies contributed to SPAN Idaho Region 4 are used to support the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1.800.273.TALK
Habitat for Humanity's ReStore Needs Your Help
Wanda Jennings
ReStore sells new and used residential home improvement materials for that summer do-it-yourself project at prices up to 50% below retail. All proceeds support Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity in building affordable housing in Ada County. ReStore is located at Five Mile and Overland.
Volunteers are needed to help in the store, and the store accepts donations of new and used building and home improvement materials that are clean and in working condition. Call ReStore at 375-5256.
If you live in the far end of the valley, the Canyon County Habitat for Humanity office, along with its ReStore, is located at 5214 E. Cleveland Blvd., Suite C, in Caldwell, phone 459-1758.
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Religious Exploration
for Children & Youth
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|  Religious Exploration Volunteer Appreciation Emmie Schlobohm, Director of Religious Exploration As our esteemed spiritual ancestor, Ralph Waldo Emerson so wisely stated... "To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; ... to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded" These achievements are the essence of what our Religious Exploration for Children and Youth ministry volunteers do every week. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their time, energy, and for their kind and gentle hearts. The gift they all give to our children and youth and our beloved community is beyond measure. We love you and thank you from the depths of our souls.
Books Build Bridges Between Hearts
Children's Book Drive starts in July
For the months of July and August, Religious Exploration for Children and Youth will be cultivating the spirit of generosity and community by facilitating a book drive for the Story Link organization, our May plate partner. Informational materials and book collecting bins will be strategically placed around the fellowship. Please bring your new or gently used children's books to BUUF and add your gifts together to make a difference in the lives of families in our greater community. Would you consider guiding a class in the Religious Exploration this year? This is not a question we take lightly. It entails commitment to our children and youth, commitment to our community, and commitment to Unitarian Universalism. The essential qualities we look for are a love of children, empathy and the ability to listen, and a willingness more to share who you are than what you know. We also look for good communication skills and reliability. Above all, guides and advisors are mentors and companions for the children and youth as they undertake their religious journeys in life. The people who are guides and advisors are not necessarily accomplished teachers but are willing to take on a joyful challenge! It does not require extensive knowledge of our faith tradition. Many people who have been guides say they learn so much, not just about Unitarian Universalism, but about other religious beliefs as well.
- All teachers are a part of a three-person rotating team. You will always have two teachers from each team in the classroom - one leading and one assisting.
- Retreats, trainings, class socials, and social time with other teachers will be provided.
- Curricula are all on-line and very well spelled out.
- Best of all, you will feel ever more connected to our vibrant community of caring people.
- Guide and advisor teams begin their work together in August.
Specific job description and an application form are available from Emmie Schlobohm at 658-1710 or dre@boiseuu.org. Once we have completed an interview and a reference and background check, you are placed on a team and you become a partner in ministry with Emmie and all the people who learn and grow with our young people here at BUUF. |
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Social Justice Outreach
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Gratitude from Habitat for Humanity
Wanda Jennings
Thanks to your generosity, BUUF donated over $1000 to the Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity as our June Outreach.
Mark your Calendar Now to Help Needed by Habitat for Humanity this Fall
Wanda Jennings
If you would like to contribute your time and effort as well, we will need 10 people to help build a home on Saturday, September 19 and ten more on Saturday, October 31st. No experience is necessary. We will also need someone to provide lunch for 25 people (our own volunteers and others) for each date. Students 16 to 18 years of age can work if accompanied by parents.
To reserve your space please contact Wanda or Bryan Jennings IN AUGUST @ 362-7563 or desertfox4@cableone.net.
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Committees
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Justice Outreach Ministry:
Plate Partner Nomination Form
Dear Good People of BUUF,
I am so very glad to be able to share with you the NEW Plate Partner nomination process and to endorse it as one of my final activities before I depart. The Justice Outreach Ministry created this form as a part of their work to deepen BUUF's relationships with the nonprofits you choose to support with financial resources. For many years, you have been donating 25% of our monthly offertory to a specified nonprofit organization. You have contributed on average approximately $1000 each month, for a total of $12,000 per year.
Last year was the first time nominations were solicited from and voted on by the entire congregation. Committees and groups were asked to consider nominating an organization for which they might also do volunteer work. Then, out of a group of 13 worthy organizations, nine Plate Partners were selected (3 months are already "spoken for").
Again this year, the Justice Outreach Ministry is asking that individuals and groups who desire to nominate an organization think deeply about opportunities for working more closely with BUUF, so that all might work as true partners in our efforts to build stronger and more loving communities. As you are able to create sustained, covenanted relationships with at least some of your Plate Partners, you will also be living more fully into your mission as a congregation. The new form reflects this effort. And while you can be proud to contribute financial support, sometimes you might lend other resources to them: bringing your collective voice; your expertise; your hands and hearts to lighten burdens or help move a cause forward.
The nomination form will be available on-line (Click Here for Nomination Form); also you will be receiving a link to it in a number of emails and bulletins during the month of July. If you prefer, you can get a hard copy of the form, and/or get assistance in filling it out from Ellen Morfit, member of the Justice Outreach Council. Forms are available at the Fellowship.
Please think about all of the people in non-profits who are doing good work in the community, and consider how BUUF can be a partner in this noble work of creating the community we want to live in and leave to our children.
I thank you as ever for your dedication to the work of justice which arises whenever BUUF's spirit-filled community gathers.
Blessings on your continuing journey,
Dana
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President's Letter
Sue Langley
Greetings!
I am writing this an hour after arriving in Portland for the UUA General Assembly (GA). This is my first time attending and from what I've heard it should be a memorable experience! I have several hours before the orientation begins so felt that this was the best time to get in the mode of my new role as president of the Board as I sit in my hotel room on the 10th floor overlooking the beautiful city of Portland and the Oregon Convention Center where I'll be spending all my time in the next few days. I have had a lot of firsts lately at BUUF: first time participating in all the necessary fundraising and meetings to send a teen to Boston; first time being part of the process of calling a new minister; first time seeing what goes on behind the scenes of BUUF; first time being on this Board and trying to grasp what the Board's role really is; and now first time at GA. It has been a full year of learning and observing and I am ready to embrace what lies ahead!
I suspect many of you do not know me very well, if at all. Prior to being asked to be on the Board a year ago, you could find me at the piano accompanying for the choir and playing hymns, or you may have remembered me as an RE teacher for a handful of years. In fact, I didn't even join the membership roles until a couple years ago as I embarked on being a participant in the Quest program. However, my family (Mark & Tenje Zimmerer) and I have been attending since Tenje was about 3 years old and now he's that teen who just went to Boston, so that's quite a few years! I did not grow up as a UU and still have lots to learn about this faith tradition, but BUUF has become a comfortable place to call home. Outside of BUUF I spend my work hours as an accountant and my play hours training and competing in various runs and triathlons, working in the garden, and hanging with the family including our four furry critters who add so much liveliness to our household!
Our fellowship is full of talented, compassionate, and dedicated individuals, and I intend to meet many more of you. I am amazed at how much work happens by staff and volunteers to keep BUUF forging ahead and living its mission and values.
During GA I get to spend half a day with our new minister, Rev. Sara Lawall, attending workshops on Board Governance - a new concept to me in this last year even though I've served on other boards. I expect Sara and I will have much to share when our new Board takes up the reigns in August.
What a year we just had - and what a year to come!
With a heart full of respect and awe for this place and all of you -
Sue
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July 19, 10 a.m.
Songs of Solidarity
Marshal Voit &
Ibis Laurel (speakers and musicians)
July 26, 10 a.m.
Spirituality, innovation, diversity, and radical inclusion Bill Reid
Mike Lemieux, Music
August 2, 10 a.m.
General Assembly Patricia Heeb & attendees
Full descriptions available here.
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BUUF Happenings
Next Month
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| Six Sage Glasses Tom von Alten Historians know that when we try to describe who and where we are, we become fish talking about water. We know what we paddle through and what we like to drink, that's about it. History is a clutter of soggy details, old water, so to speak. Not for Tom Standage, who has poured all civilization into six glasses. Jeanette Ross will pour them out into one bowl that brings us to who and where we are today. Bottoms up! The BUUF Sages meet at the Kopper Kitchen (2661 Airport Way) for lively discussion and a no-host breakfast, 9:30 am Thursday, July 23. Contact Tom von Alten, 208 378-1217, or tva@fortboise.org for more information. Newcomers are welcome! 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. August 9th we will be reading All the Light We Can Not See by Anthony Doerr. We will meet at BUUF in the North Wing. Sept. 13th we will be reading Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. We will meet at the home of Mindy Arnold, 7790 W. Devonwood Dr. Boise, 853-2337. Oct. 11th we will be reading The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert. We will meet at the home of Kathy McGown and Eric Wallace. Nov. 8th we will be reading The Pearl That Broke It's Shell by Nadia Hashimi. Place to be determined. If you would like to receive our emails contact me at erins4960@msn.com Happy Reading! |
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Thank you from Becky & Rick Groff
The grief we felt from our son Mathew's passing was much greater than we anticipated or have ever felt before. Becky and I are grateful for the loving kindness we received from the BUUF community. The cards, the hugs, the words of compassion, and the thoughtful gestures lifted us up and helped us to make it through this difficult time in our lives. We have realized how inadequate words can be for expressing strong emotions. Sometimes though, words are all we have: so thank you, thank you, thank you.
Becky and Rick Groff
Dana's Farewell
It's time to leave the old behind,
Create BUUF's new UU.
Dana arrives to challenge us,
"What more can you do?"
"I know this rose will open",
We are flexible, we can change,
To create a more loving community
Dana helps our views rearrange.
She changes lives and transforms BUUF,
Encouraging and uniting us,
Try out a spiritual practice,
Over newcomers, please make a fuss.
Preparing us for what's to come,
We all knew she'd have to go,
Each will share a part of our heart,
And you know we'll miss her so!
Love ya,
Wanda Jennings
June 6, 2015
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The BUUF News will be published on the 2nd and 4th weeks of the month. All deadlines are at NOON on the date listed. Submissions received after NOON will be held over until the next issue.
DEADLINE/PUBLISHED
July 27 / July 30
Submission Requirments:
http://boiseuu.org/submissions.html
Submit ONLY newsletter articles to:
newsletter@boiseuu.org
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