Director of Religious Exploration
Roots Hold Me Close, Wings Set Me Free
Emmie Schlobohm, Director of Religious Exploration
Here at the Boise UU Fellowship, our roots run deep. We have history
with and connections to our Treasure Valley community and out into the
world. Our beloved hymn, Spirit of Life, calls us to feel grounded and
supported in our roots and to experiment and fly with our wings. We are
a loving and caring people and our faith community is a place to try new
things and improve on things we already do.
I spent last week among my religious education colleagues at our annual
gathering. Our theme was RE Without Walls. During the week, every
workshop, networking session, and mealtime conversation seemed to be
buzzing about theme-based church, Full Week Faith and how to best use
social media tools such as Twitter, Tumblr, and even Pinterest to create
vibrant faith communities involving and including all ages. We were
challenged to lift up multigenerational faith formation in everything we
do and to experiment with new tools and new ideas. I'm making friends
with new technologies, some of which I hadn't heard of before last week!
Look for invitations in the coming days on BUUF's social media platforms
to join in the fun!
Social media is just one tool to connect families together on Sundays
and beyond. Families are the heart of our BUUF community. I have a very
wide definition of family in this context. If you consider yourself a
member of any family, be it related by blood, friendship, commitment to
a cause, or another connection that holds you together with another
person or group of people, you are in a family. From the youngest among
us to our respected elders, we are a family together and a cherished
mishmash of different family units on this wild ride. Our joyous messy
community of like-hearted folks can be a place of love, caring and
transformation. There's also movement, singing, and outbursts of the
inner joy and feelings that some of our younger ones just can't hold in.
As one colleague shared, a noisy church is a healthy church. That
wonderful noise means we are a vibrant and inclusive community inviting
all ages to be who they are in the sacred space we all create
together.
In the coming weeks, our RE community will be rolling out guidance in
many forms to help all of us be more mindful and inclusive to all ages.
Look for bulletin boards and other signage with information about
developmental ages and stages and leaflets about children in worship.
And, as always, for our multigenerational services, we will have
activity booklets and bags with engaging activities for the quieter
times in our services.
Our children and youth are the beating growing heart of our
congregation. They are a huge part of the present vitality and the
future we all hope will be. Our Boston Bounders brought that point home
during their service on October 18th. We all create a community that
gives our congregation's young people roots and wings. Let's all work
together to find ways to embrace and welcome them and make their parents
and guardians feel surrounded by a community of loving and caring
people.
Social Justice November Plate Partner
Boise City Farmers' Market Mobile Market
Patty Nakaoki
The Mobile Market started in 2015 as a collaboration between the Boise
Farmers' Market and the City of Boise, Parks and Recreation. The
market brought local fresh fruits and vegetables to 6 different
locations around the city in low income neighborhoods all summer long.
The Mobile Market accepts SNAP benefits and in 2015, the City of Boise
matched the first $10 of SNAP benefits with a credit at the Mobile
Market. In 2016, the Mobile Market has applied for several grants,
hoping to expand their services to other locations. Non-SNAP customers
at the Mobile Market also help the market as their purchases help defray
fixed costs (mostly staffing).
We're Hiring!
Part-time Volunteer and Social Justice Coordinator
Patti Raino, BUUF Personnel Committee
BUUF will be hiring a part-time Volunteer/Social Justice Coordinator
beginning this January. This position was approved in the annual budget
to begin January 6, 2016. The person hired works 10 hours a week using a
work schedule developed in coordination with our Minister. A background
check is required. Pay is $13.15 an hour.
This position will coordinate and support pathways to engagement and
connection in congregational life and with social justice issues in the
community. It will nurture, support, and sustain leadership. Ultimately,
we hope this person will be a conduit for newcomers and members alike,
providing the information and opportunities for people to find their own
place, deepen their connections and strengthening the community. The
position will work closely with Program Ministry Council, Welcoming
Ministries Team(s) and the Social Justice Outreach Council. This
position will be supervised by the minister.
The full job posting and description are
available on the web, and in hardcopy just inside the BUUF office
door on the right hanging file.
BUUF is an equal opportunity employer. We hire on the basis of ability,
experience, and character necessary for the job without discrimination
in regard to age, gender, affectional orientation, race, creed, national
origin, marital status, gender identification or physical
disability.
If you know of a person that would be a good fit for this position or
are interested in applying for this position, e-mail a resume (work
history), contact information and three names of reference to:
minister@boiseuu.org
Submittal deadline is November 13, 2015. Please no phone
calls.
Spiritual Growth and Learning
Contemplative Practice Group Starting
Contemplative practice (commonly called centering prayer) is a
meditative practice which originated within the 4th Century monastic
tradition of the Dessert Fathers. While it has become widespread
recently due to the efforts of the Cistercian monks, Fathers Thomas
Keating and Basil Pennington, there is no reason it must be exclusively
Christian. This group will draw from all of our UU sources for our
practice.
Outwardly, centering prayer looks similar to mindful meditation, but
varies in that it provides a word, phrase, or short reading for
contemplation during a period of restful silence. The health benefits
of centering prayer are similar to other forms of meditation. If you
would like to learn more about centering prayer and/or participate in a
weekly group, meet in the Balazs (senior high) room on Tuesday morning,
November 10 at 9:00 a.m.
Extinction, Environmental Crisis & Pope Francis
Adult Ed Class by artist and author Mark McGinnis
Monday, November 16, 7 - 9 p.m. Channing Room
Each participant should pick up a copy of the booklet in the Book Nook
that they could pick up in advance of the night of the discussion or at
the discussion. The booklets are sold at the printing cost of $4.00
each.
Mark will lead the discussion and the focus will be on Pope Francis'
perception of the environmental crisis and what each one of us can do
to restore integrity to the environment and to our lives.
Fellowship Connections
Manos: the Hands of Fate -- Movie Night
Once again, just in time for Halloween, one of the worst movies ever
made, rears its ugly head! But this time, it's the Restoration, in its
original, full-color incompetence! You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll ask
yourself, "Why did they ever do this?" and perhaps more to the point,
"What am I doing here?"
For a frightful evening of fun, join us at BUUF on Friday, October 30th
at 7:00 pm in the north wing. Free admission (donations to BUUF
accepted), free popcorn and lemonade.
"Manos," named the "Worst Movie Ever Made" by Entertainment Weekly
Magazine and featured in an article in the October, 2015 edition of
Playboy, has become a cult classic. It has spawned stage plays, video
games, a puppet play, and attempts at prequels and sequels. We have a
choice: the Mystery Science Theater 3000 riff version with all of its
laughs, and the newly restored original. Which should we watch?
On a personal note, Bryan Jennings' father played the sheriff! Costumes
are not required, but they couldn't hurt!
Don't Miss Out!
Gwyn Reid
Come one, come all to our second Annual Pancake Supper, Saturday
November 7, 6 pm.
This is a "Pay as you wish" fundraiser sponsored by BUUF's fundraising
committee. We hope that everyone will come!
We'll have lots of great pancakes made from scratch (including
gluten-free) Plus bacon, fake-un, and all the usual pancake
trimmings.
And-BONUS - don't put away your Halloween costume; you'll have one more
chance to wear it for the second annual BUUF Pay as You Wish Pancake
Supper and Last Chance Halloween Costume Wearing a Extravaganza,
otherwise known as BPAYWPSALCHCWE for short (pronounced
B-payWepsalCheckWe). Doesn't that roll trippingly off the tongue?
Congregational Conversation & Luncheon
"Building Our BUUF Story"
Join us Sunday, November 8, 12:45 - 3 p.m. for an all congregational
lunch and conversation. Children, youth, & families are welcome and
encouraged to attend.
Voudon to You Too!
Debbie Espen
Morgaine Silverthorn will be explaining the much misunderstood Pagan
religion of Voudon to us at the next meeting of Exploring Pagan/Nature
Spirituality, Friday, November 13 7 p.m. in the Library, south wing. All
welcome! Bring snacks/potluck, and items for the altar. Coordinate any
music, prayers, etc. with Aria Ferrini (drf.oleander@hotmail.com) and
Morgaine (morgainebrigid@hotmail.com)
Thanksgiving Dinner?
Sign up to show your interest on the clipboard on the hospitality table
to share a Fun Community Thanksgiving Dinner with BUUF Friends. Someone
will call you to ask you to bring a dish. Questions: Ask Nancy Harms @
nancyixna.y@boiseuu.org or 658-1710 or Wanda
Jennings @ desertfox4ixna.y@cableone.net or
362-7563.
Religious Exploration
Mobile Market Magic in RE this Sunday
Emmie Schlobohm
In our continuing quest to connect what's going on in the RE classrooms with what's happening in the sanctuary during the adult services, this month's Justice Sunday on November 1 will be exploring food justice through the lens of the Boise Farmer's Market and their Mobile Market program. All are welcome to join us as we discover how food is a huge part of our lives, not just what we eat to fuel our bodies. Stories, games, and supplies to make/create will be our environment as the children are given the challenge of supporting the Boise Farmer's Mobile Market. We'll see what our young makers develop and invent and create.
From Outdoor Sanctuary
Trees Available for Adoption
If you are interested in adopting an arborvitae or a pine tree, Outdoor
Sanctuary has a deal for you. These plants currently live in the pots
on the Courtyard patio and will be much happier in the ground before
winter. One or both of them can be yours for a small donation towards
keeping our grounds beautiful. Please call Mary Schwartzman (853-3313)
or Jolene Schow (867-2152) to discuss. (Note: Pots not included.)
Read!
The Other Book Club
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 p.m.
Nov. 8th we will be reading The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by
Nadia Hashimi. We will meet at the home of Erin Logan, 2116 N. 17th,
Boise 83702, 336-4960.
December 13th we will be reading Mambo King Play Songs of Love by
Oscar Hijuelos. We will meet at the home of Patti Raino, 4905 W.
Outlook Ave, Boise, 83703 336-2280.
January - no gathering scheduled
February 7th (the 1st Sunday of the month) we will be reading Being
Mortal, Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande.
Meeting place to be determined.
March 13th we will be reading the Invention of Wings by Sue Monk
Kidd. Meeting place to be determined. If you would like to receive our
emails contact Erin Logan at
erins4960ixna.y@msn.com
Photo Directory Being Printed
BUUF Members and Friends
There will be a new printed BUUF directory coming out Sunday. It will be
in a somewhat different format due to a change in the software that
generates the directory.
Our new software has the ability for members to access an online
directory as well as the ability to view your donation history. There
are also android and apple app versions that the company is testing
which should be available soon.
Please contact Mitchel Bethel
( mitchelhbixna.y@boiseuu.org )
if you would like access to the online directory.
The electronic options provide to the fellowship the advantage of
reducing costs to the fellowship, reducing consumption of natural
resources and providing quicker and more up to date information on
current members. These options help the fellowship, the environment and
the members of the congregation in the long term.
Coming Sundays
Sunday, November 8, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
"Experience the Holy" Rev. Sara LaWall
Nancy Harms, Celebrant; BUUF Choir, Music
Sunday, November 15, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
"Radical Hospitality -- The Golden Rule" Rev. Sara LaWall
Sharene Watsen, Celebrant
Sunday, November 22, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
"Apple Communion" Rev. Sara LaWall
Emmie Schnlobohm, Celebrant