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First Unitarian Universalist Church of Detroit4605 Cass AvenueDetroit, MI 48201Phone 313-833-9107Fax 313-833-0127December 19, 2004 |
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First Unitarian Universalist Church
Organizational Chart 2003 - 2004 Officers Moderator Colleen Dolan-Greene Vice Moderator & Strategic Planning Jim Harvey Immediate Past Moderator Lynda Smith Board Secretary Kathe Stevens Treasurer Bob Lauer Staff Interim Minister Rev. David B. Park Minister Emeritus Rev. Larry Hutchison Director of Religious Education Jennifer Teed Music Director Todd Ballou Choir Director Lyle Brown Church Secretary Wendi Winston Building and Grounds Joe Brimmer Trustees Charlotte Allen Mark Bendure Linda Darga Carolyn Ludwig Kathleen Rock Irene Schultz Dan Secrest Ruth Seifert Dan Wiest Newsletter Irene Schultz |
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Newsletter Deadline The next deadline is Sunday, January 2, 2005, no later than 12:30 P.M. Newsletter Articles Please leave legible contributions in the Newsletter box located outside the church office. Please include your name and a contact number should there be any questions.Articles may also be emailed to me, by the deadline date and time, at ieschultz1945@yahoo.com If you email items, please specify they are for the Newsletter. Please do not write articles on little pieces of paper or contribution envelopes, the ones that don't get lost are very hard to read. |
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From the Interim Minister
Recently a new member of the church said to me, "You have a huge opportunity here."
I agree. The question is, will we, as individuals and as a congregation, rise to the challenge?
Affirming the "inherent worth and dignity of every person," we at First UU respond to the best powers of those we work with, not the worst. Early in the fall someone described Detroit as "the most segregated city in the United States." I thought to myself, "That's impossible. The most segregated city has to be in the Deep South--Birmingham, AL, Charleston, SC, or Jackson, MS."
Since then, I have read Thomas Sugrue's eye-opening book, "The Origin of the Urban Crisis," a sociological history of Detroit. Based on Sugrue's findings I am persuaded that the description may well be correct.
The fault line between conservative white Detroiters and African American Detroiters, whether long-time or recently arrived, is deep and rancorous. The riots of 1943 and 1967 bear witness to this racial division. The city is still, decades after the fact, recovering from those events.
First UU is an institution at which black and white Detroiters may meet, get acquainted, explore together the nature of good and evil, learn from each other, and pursue a common agenda of personal spiritual growth and the construction of a just society. We are not the only congregation in Detroit that is committed to racial justice. But we ARE committed to racial justice, and in that commitment we align ourselves with the New Detroit that is rising on the ashes of the city as it used to be.
As interim minister I am privy to the myriad maintenance-and-repair problems of our far-flung building here at the corner of Cass and Forest. I like the building. When Dan K. and Earl Harvey gave me tours of the building late last summer I was amazed at its size, versatility--and vulnerability.
As people grow older, their health needs increase. The same is true of buildings. We could invest a million dollars, two million dollars in the building and it still would fall far short of the ideal we aspire to.
We must, as a congregation, seek ways to attract more people to this building, for their sake and for our sake. Our Director of Religious Education, Jennifer Teed, is very energetic in reaching out to individuals and organizations that might benefit from our facilities. As I write, Jen is hosting a "Women Arise" intergenerational Christmas party in McCollester Hall. Carter Stevenson came by a few minutes ago in search of a big chair in which he could fulfil his role as Santa Claus. Go, Carter! Maybe some of our "Women Arise" guests will return tomorrow morning, or on a future Sunday, and join our circle of love and justice. We welcome them!
Thomas Sugrue's book is a sobering account of a city at war with itself. Can First UU play a role in companioning the city into a new era of equal justice and mutual respect? We are already at work. By vote of the Board Trustees in November, we are now a member of MOSES, a coalition of 37 congregations, religious orders, and non-profit institutions concerned to improve the quality of life in Detroit. I am proud to be the minister of a congregation that has taken this step.
Segregation is overcome one individual, one couple, one family at a time. First UU is a laboratory in racial justice. We are richly blessed.
Hear the words of the author of the Letter of James in the Christian scriptures. "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,' and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. "
"But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith" (James 2:14-18 NRSV). That is the challenge.
I send greetings of the season to each, to all. David.
The next meeting of the Women's Book Club will be on Sunday, January 9, 2004 from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM in Memorial Hall.
We will be meeting the second Sunday of the month since the first Sunday is the day after New
Year's Day. Our selection will be Middlesex: A Novel by Jeffrey Eugendes.
We have chosen The Trouble with Islam Today : A Muslim's Call for Reform in Her Faith by Irshad Manji for March, since it is expected to be available in paperback early in 2005. We have not yet chosen a book for our February discussion. All are welcome. Contact Maria Majer for more information.
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Choir
Our choir is open to all who enjoy singing and being with some really nice people. Rehearsals are in Memorial Hall, unless otherwise noted, and begin at 9:30 A.M. The schedule follows:
January 2, 2005 - off
January 9, 16, 23 with performance on 23rd
January 30 - off
February 6, 13, 20 with performance on 20th
February 27 - off
March 6, 13, 20, 27 with performance on 27th
CONGRATULATIONS to Dan Kosmowski, who received his bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering at Wayne State University on Thursday, 16 December. Dan is a third-generation First UU'er. His mother is Alma King. His maternal grandfather was the late Al King. Dan, we are proud of you!
In Memoriam
It is with deep sadness that we report the death of Mary Riley who died on October 11. Mary will be missed.
Worship..the good news!
By Gwen Winston
At our Saturday, December 4th meeting, the Worship Committee voted unanimously to join forces with the Worship and Ministry Task Force. On Monday, December 6th the Task Force ratified this decision. On the THIRD SATURDAYS, both groups will meet as one beginning January 15, 2005. All are welcome.
You are invited to join us Wednesday, January 19, 2005, for noon luncheon with the Women’s Alliance in Memorial Hall. Stay for the after-luncheon program featuring a speaker who will tell us about the Charles H. Wright Museum of Afro-American History. Make reservations for the luncheon by noon on Monday, January 17. Phone the church office at 313-833-9107 or Eiko Takemoto at 313-869-6389. The luncheon is $6.00.
Fundraising
Entertainment book sales have totaled $235.00 profit. Thanks to all who purchased them. Thanks also to Lance Halsted, Janet Thompson and my niece Nicole Ludwig for selling extra books.
Christmas sales along with other garage sale items have raised $145.00 for our church budget. This makes the total for this year close to $2200.00. Thanks to all who helped and bought. We will be having fundraisers at the Detroit Repertory Theater in January. These plays are very enjoyable.
I would also like to thank Gary Jackson, Debi Rutherford’s friend, for giving us several bags of very lovely items for the garage sale. Margaret Beck
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First UU at BUC
Art That Is
Artists Lencha Acker, Colin Allen, David Grose, Carol Izant, Mary Neale, Irene Schultz, Mark Schwing, Sumarah Karen Smith, Brian Taylor and Margaret Wilkie will be showing items at Birmingham Unitarian Church February 6 – 20, 2005. Join First UU artists for a reception February 9 from 6 – 8 P.M. BUC is located at 38651 Woodward Ave. just north of Lone Pine Road in Bloomfield Hills.
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January Birthdays
1. Alexandria Stevenson
6. Frank Klaetke
8. Sean McAde
11. Len Zettel
13.Eiko Takemoto
16. George Waterman
19. Anne Pawlik
20. Colleen Dolan-Greene
21. Richard Thomas
22. Joy Dreifus
24. Faye Colling, Marlyn Meyer
Ed. Note…If you see a name on our birthday list of someone who is no longer with us, for whatever reason, please let Irene know. Also, I try to update the list from time to time so if you haven’t seen your name with the appropriate month, it’s because I don’t have it. Please jot down your name and birth date – year not necessary – on a piece of paper and put it in the Newsletter box located outside the church office.
Peace on Earth ©
Written by Lee Thume
Printed with her permission
Peace on earth is what we need,
Peace in every word and deed,
Peace with nations far and wide
And peace with neighbors by our side.
These Holy days bring love and joy,
Enough all conflict to destroy,
Enough to heal all hurt and strife
And end all cause to fight!
For if we truly listen
We may find some part that’s missing
That could help each problem make more sense
And show us each one’s innocence!
And here is where we all come in:
The world can live in peace again
When all can see each other’s goodness and worth-
We’ll then be on our way to peace on earth.
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Second Annual Civil Rights Journey
Set For Historic Southern Cities
The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee is excited to announce the second annual civil rights journey that will travel to several southern cities to learn firsthand about the struggles of the 1960s.
The intergenerational trip will bring people together from around the country to travel by bus to historical sites that were significant during the civil rights movement. The inspirational journey will begin in Atlanta and move to Selma, Montgomery and Birmingham, AL.
The Freedom Summer Workcamp: A Civil Rights Journey is scheduled for July 9-16, 2005. Participants also will hear the stories of people who were there. The civil rights activists will bring to life the struggles of those who risked their lives to register black voters and to demand other rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
It will conclude with a service component assisting our Atlanta-based community partner, Georgia Citizens Coalition on Hunger.
At the inaugural Freedom Summer Workcamp last year, 15 young people heard the messages of many civil rights warriors who were on the front lines of the struggles of the 1960s. They said the stories inspired them to become electoral activists last year and to make social justice a part of their everyday lives.
“The Workcamp was one of those life-changing experiences that you only get once, and I’m very grateful to have been a part of it.” said Chloe Silva, 17, of Athens, GA.
Freedom Summer Application Information
Participants must be age 14 or older. Participants ar eresponsible for providing their own transportation to and from Atlanta. However, rides provided by UUSC staff to and from airports or train stations can be arranged in advance.
The fee helps offset the cost of housing, food and transportation during the program. For UUSC members, the fee is $275; for non-UUSC members, $295, or $50 for two family members from the same congregation.
You may also request an application or receive further information by contacting us by e-mail at
justworks@uusc.org or by calling Nguyen at 800.388.3920 ext. 201.
Just Works Workcamps are short-term projects that help volunteers examine and understand the causes and damaging effects of injustice. Participants work directly with people in the communities they serve, experiencing social justice struggles firsthand.
While learning about human rights issues and promoting intercultural understanding and reconciliation, volunteers are taught advocacy skills to address issues of poverty, discrimination and racism. It is UUSC’s hope that participants will make use of these skills in their congregations, campuses, and communities. The Just Works program is an important element in our mission to advance justice and protect human rights in the United States and around the world.
Items from the Internet
I once had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue: "No good in a bed, but fine up against a wall."
~Eleanor Roosevelt
The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending; and have the two as close together as possible.
~George Burns
Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.
~Mark Twain
I never drink water because of the disgusting things that fish do in it.
~W.C. Fields