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First Unitarian Universalist Church of Detroit4605 Cass AvenueDetroit, MI 48201Phone 313-833-9107Fax 313-833-0127November 20, 2005 |
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First Unitarian Universalist Church
Organizational Chart 2005 - 2006 Officers Moderator Jim Harvey Vice Moderator Dan Weist Immediate Past Moderator Colleen Dolan-Greene Board Secretary Leonard Zettel Treasurer Dan Secrest Staff Interim Minister Rev. Diana Heath 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 Lencha Acker Alicia Biggers Jim Brown Linda Darga Carolyn Ludwig Mary Lou Malone Jackie McNaughtonM/I> Irene Schultz Newsletter Irene Schultz |
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For those who requested Ric Masten’s (abbreviated) verse on those who suffer the pangs of uncertainly before guests arrive:
“Have you ever had someone coming…?
Guests – for whom you found yourself running to wash and scrub and straighten the place up…
until you could see clearly what an awful (mess) you live in…
Someone coming – and you, never more aware of rugs, spotted, torn upholstery, dings and marks dishes that didn’t match
A burned smell coming from the oven (an ancient spill?)
And then, later in the evening, with the warmth of hearth, candles,
and glow of amiable conversation, seen a sunset happen –
That made you wonder –
What was all the fuss?
Well, that makes two of us.”
Let us remember to give thanks for hospitality, and practice it often.
Good Thanksgiving, and keep warm and well.
Sincerely, Rev. Diana Heath
Our intrepid and beloved member Joe Samples spoke with Rev. Heath recently to say he was steadily improving. He sounded strong and in good spirits and our thoughts are with Pearl Samples, who has ever been by Joe’s side during this health crises. We send both our love, and hope to see you in church, Joe!
Congratulations to Maria Majer
who completed all the academic requirements of the MSCE (Masters of
Science in Civil Engineering) degree from Wayne State University.
We will be meeting on December 4 at 1:00 p.m. in Memorial Hall and will be discussing a children’s book of your choice and donating children’s books to Second Story Church. Please come prepared to discuss the book selection and bring a snack to share.
The volunteers of the Building & Grounds Committee have been promising a new outdoor sermon sign for months. The last unexpected delay of many was finding out our sign company was not registered with the City of Detroit permit office! We discovered this when we went to get the permit after receiving approvals from two departments and two variance hearings at the Historic District Commission. So when will the new sign be installed? We're not going to make any more promises but it will almost certainly be in mid-December!
During the discussions with Rev. Ed Lynn, Building Consultant, it was mentioned that the Congregation requested $40,000 from the Trust last summer for emergency building repairs. The Building & Grounds Committee wants to clarify that the Trust only approved $16,400 of the request and most of that went to the sanctuary. Also, the sanctuary building is in the best shape of our three structures. This is not because of its use on Sunday only but because it has less ornate architectural elements.
The more fancy elements, when not properly maintained (sandstone, cornice, flat roofs), will cause worse water leaks, more costly brick repair, and many more issues.
Come take a risk with us.
Join the choir for Christmas Eve
The following is the rehearsal and performance schedule for the rest of
2005. All rehearsals begin at 9:30 and are in McCollester Hall unless
otherwise noted. All are welcome.>
December 4 – rehearsal and performance
December 11 – off
December 18 – rehearsal
December 24 – rehearsal and performance Rehearsal time is 4:00 P.M.
We had a great time at the Detroit Repertory Theatre Saturday, November 12. We dined at the Traffic Jam afterwards. Thanks to the 25 people who bought tickets to the play the treasury is $125.00 richer. We will be having a Holiday Winter Sale during coffee hour from now until Christmas. Hope you will stop by and look at some of the very nice items at an excellent value.
Entertainment Books are an excellent present to buy for only $25.00 and helps the church. They will be for sale through December. I’ve already gotten my moneys worth by using the coupons for the Hilberry and Bonstelle Theaters as well as the Sierra Station Restaurant and Buddy’s Pizza. My niece used her coupons to the Frankenmouth Brewery for lunch and got a discount at Bronner’s on a trip to Frankenmouth. I hope to plan another theater party to see Going to St. Ives on January 14 at 3:00 P.M. at the Detroit Repertory. Lee Blessing, the author, is well known. Thanks to all who help - and buy - with the fundraisers. Margaret Beck
Noel Night is rapidly approaching – Saturday, December 3 – and we are looking for a few good people to lend a hand with cookie bringing, cider stirring, decorating and such. Please call Dan Weist to let him know what you can do or if you would like to sell things at our Noel Night Bazaar, please contact Irene Schultz by November 16 for table reservations.
Thanks to Donna Walker, the long awaited Church Directory Updates will be available during coffee hour on Sunday, December 4. Please pick yours up at the visitor table.
Books from the UUA will be on sale regularly during
coffee hour. Proceeds go to Women's Alliance. You may
SPECIAL ORDER any books from our catalog and we'll pay for postage.
New books, which were donated to Religious Education, will
also be sold at extremely low prices. Profits from these books will
be shared by Alliance and R.E. Special thanks to Rose LaBolle, Donna Walker, Jon and Irene Schultz, Justin
Tyler, Dodie Brodersen, Janet Thompson, MaryLou Malone, Jennifer Teed
and Rev. Heath for your help in getting this bookstore started.
Check it out! We have some great titles for Holiday
giving. -Arlene Teed
The Women's Alliance will meet again on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2005. (NOTE; THIS IS THE 2nd WEDNESDAY IN DECEMBER, NOT THE 3rd). Lunch will be served at noon to be followed by a program of seasonal music led by Dot Giessler and Jonathan Schultz. The cost is $6. Please make reservations by phoning Eiko Takemoto at 869-6389 or the church office at 833-9107. The deadline for reservations is Dec.12 at noon.
The next movie date is December 18 from 2 – 5 P.M. The movies are “Mad Hot Ballroom” and “It’s a Wonderful Life”. There will be treats and holiday cheer. Save the date – January 22, 2006 for the next movie.
Sign up for the FUUD Yahoo email list. Send an email to athenadk@aol.com and ask to be added.
If you have borrowed items from the church – large Sanctuary chairs, candlesnuffers, and such – please return them ASAP. No questions asked.
Kwanzaa begins each year on Dec. 26. This year the celebration of the Nguzo Saba (the seven principles of Kwanzaa) will begin on Monday, the day that the Black Concerns Working Group of 1st. U.U. Church will be sponsoring our 19th Annual Kwanzaa Jazz Concert. Kwanzaa is an African American holiday, but its 7 principles apply to all of us as we live our daily lives. I also see the principles as significant to the survival of our church.
The first day of Kwanzaa celebrates Umoja - Unity. We honor this principle in our church family when we work together to support our church. It is most fitting that our concert begins the Kwanzaa celebration on this day, because it takes the efforts of many people to assure the concert's success as one of our biggest fundraisers. Frederick Douglass said, "We are one, our cause is one and we must help each other if we are to succeed". The proceeds from this event help our church to stay afloat.
The second day of Kwanzaa celebrates Imani - Faith. Our ancestors had faith in the wisdom of the elders. They respected their chosen leaders. We, too, should have faith in our leaders and confidence that they will guide us along the right path. We have chosen them because of their reliability, their responsibility and their dedication to fulfilling the commitments they've made. Our ancestors chose leaders who wanted to succeed and they understood that not everyone could be a leader. For our success, let us emulate our ancestors and be guided by the persons we have chosen to be our leaders
Ujama means cooperative economics. For First Church, this means everyone should use their creative talents toward achieving the goal of financial self sufficiency. Our collective economic strength can be achieved by helping each other. Let's all support each one in our congregation who tries fund-raising. Together we can raise the money needed to bring our church back to financial health.>
Nia- Nia means purpose. The Annual Kwanzaa Jazz Concert has several important purposes. One is to celebrate Kwanzaa and raise awareness of its meaning in the larger community. Another is to celebrate Detroit's legendary history as a jazz capital. And third, of course is to introduce newcomers to our church and raise funds for its operating budget.
Kuumba -Kuumba means creativity. Use your creativity to help concert ticket sales (and thereby the church's budget). Here are a couple of ideas to get you started: Host or encourage your friends to host a Kwanzaa Party at the concert. There will be lots of good music and good food with little effort in this busy season. Include Kwanzaa flyers with your Xmas cards. This will make your friends aware of the concert and encourage them to buy tickets and attend the jazz concert. I'm sure you can think of other ideas along these lines.
Ujima -Ujima means collective work and responsibility. Through our "efforts" (varied and numerous) we can do more than just stay afloat, we can solve our financial problems with our creativity, interest, support, and most importantly with elbow grease. We should not waste time with idle unproductive complaints. Rather, be visible in creating something that makes you proud. Kujichagulia – Kujichagulia means self-determination. Marva Collins, teacher, said, “Determination and perseverance move the world”.
You make the difference. By using the 7 principles of Kwanzaa, we can collectively help move our church to success, not only with the presentation of our concert, but in the life and survival of our church. Just as our ancestors sought “positive” outcomes by using their natural abilities and trusting the universal laws, we can practice these same principles. Talk with me. I have tickets to sell.
`Tis the season for lions and tigers and bears,
oh, my, charming and cuddly for the young and young at heart. Andee
Seeger will open the Toys and Trinkets sale table during coffee hour
each Sunday from Thanksgiving through New Year’s. There will
also be beautiful jewelry at affordable prices. Shop for gifts and
self-gifts knowing that all profits from this table go to buy things
the church needs, including within the last few months the bench in
the church house vestibule, two huge bookcases for R.E., a furniture
handcart for maintenance, and things for the kitchen. Avoid the rush
and crush of the mall – buy here.
This year, RE/1st UU will be hosting our 2nd Annual Holiday Party for Women Arise. Women Arise is a great program that works with women who have just been released from Prison. As you can imagine this time of year is especially difficult for them, as they are reuniting with children they haven't seen for quite some time, children who have great expectations for what their mothers will be able to provide for the holidays. Although our party focuses on a simple Christmas and self care; as we did last year we would like to be able to provide $50.00 Target Gift Cards to each mother (about 15) to do some small holiday shopping for herself and her children. We also need a small budget to provide a simple meal. We would greatly appreciate your donation, which can be given to Jennifer Teed or mailed to her at church. We will also need many volunteers and greeters the day of the gathering (tentatively December 17), those who participated last year found it very meaningful and enjoyable and highly recommend you join us this year! Please call me if you can help out. Thanks, Jennifer
9. Bob Neale, Joe Samples, James Newman
11. Marilyn Mitchell
13. Barbara Stevenson
17. Ken Meyer
21.Gail Twitty, Lee Thume
23. Ardith Dickason
24. Nick Greene
26. Charlotte Allen
29. Jerry Gochnour
Holiday helpers needed to help with children's craft tables and cookie decorating. If you would enjoy this please contact Jennifer Teed.>
An IBM Wheelwriter Typewriter (Selectric System 2000) has Spellchecker and Memory features (stores repetitive letters, statistical reports, forms, etc.). Well cared for (in original box with manual) and has extra ribbons and correcting tapes. Cost $1,200 sell $250. email
Upcoming Religious
Education for Children ages 4-12
Sunday, November 27, 2005, 11:00 am
Intergenerational Church Service preparation
Sunday, December 4, 2005, 11:00 am
Chanukah (Jewish)
The children will create Chanukah menorahs and play the dreidel game.
Sunday, December 11, 2005, 11:00 am
Intergenerational
Church Service
“How Will We
Celebrate This Season?”
There is a lot of sorrow and
deprivation in the world right now. During this holiday of plenty
how will we share our joys and gifts with others?
Children and youth will sing, play instruments and share their thoughts.
Sunday,
December 18, 2005, 11:00 am
Kwanzaa (African American)
Saturday, December 24, 2005, 5:00 pm
Christmas Eve. Intergenerational Church Service
We
will gather in the sanctuary for a very special Renaissance
Candlelight Service.
Sunday, December 25, 2005, 11:00 am
Christmas Day
We will share the story of Christmas in the Stable.
Upcoming Religious Education for Children ages 13-19
November
27, 2005
Youth Group
December 4, 2005
Hinduism
December 11, 2005
Holiday
Intergenerational Church Service
(see above)
December 18, 2005
Hinduism
December 24, 2005— 5:00 pm
Christmas Eve. Intergenerational Church Service
(see above)
December 25, 2005
Christmas Day
The high school youth that attend are invited to help out with the younger youth. (see above).
2nd
Story Church
Halfway Up the Stairs
My Mom recently told me “I'm so proud of my daughters for carrying on the UU tradition.” Is it a coincidence that I'm DRE here in Detroit and my sister is a Sr. High Advisor at the UU Church in East Lansing? I don't think so. The things we learned here as children are priceless. I feel like I owe this church so much, I'm proud of the values I learned here as a child. It means so much to me that my parents brought my sister, Betsy and I to church every Sunday. They impressed to us that this routine was important. We also attended many events here beyond Sunday morning, this was our “community” and our “family”, sometimes we didn't fit in other places, so it was comforting to have this second home. It is so important to me that we create a similar safe, nurturing place for our youth today. It reassures me when I see adults in our congregation living out our principles, modeling for our children and youth what it means to be a U.U., trust me the children are paying close attention.
If I could pick one word that describes what I learned here at 1st UU it would be JUSTICE, and I would use the same word to describe what I hope the children here take with them into adulthood. We certainly need more justice in the world! The children here are also learning to be free thinkers, they are learning about theological diversity and expression, they are learning to discover and create.
A couple of my favorite recent examples about what our children are learning here include:
1) After hearing the story and discussing Saint Francis in church one morning on the drive home Lauren told her Grandmother, Nora Holt, “Grandma, this is a story they tell us at my Dad's church too! (Lauren attends her Dad's church every other week when she visits him). The difference is at your church they just tell the story and we talk about it, at my Dad's church it's like they are trying to beat it into you!” It felt so good to hear Nora tell this story, we're doing something right!
2) Over the last couple years we've had discussions about “different” kinds of people, recently I asked Marianna, “Is it okay to be different?” This lead to her sharing with me about a girl at school she befriended. Marianna's new friend is someone with a disability who no one else would sit next to at the lunch table. Although Marianna shared that some of her classmates now tease her, she wouldn't give up this new friend, and recognizes that she made the right decision.
More moments from this Proud Mother Hen....
Last Sunday I saw AnaRosa play her tuba at the MAX, she has been recently accepted into the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Civic Ensemble!
Friday night I went out to Roeper High where Nick Greene was the stage manager of an awesome production of HAIR at his high school!
Vanessa has been accepted into the Dearborn Community Chorus, and has recently joined our church choir. She had her first performance at church this past Sunday!
I'm looking forward to December 6 to see Marianna perform with her school's Honor Choir, she was one of only five 5th graders asked to join!
We are collecting 2 liter bottle caps for the children to use in creating their own Chanukah menorah on December 4th. Please leave them in my mailbox. Thank You!
Kids: Have you made things you'd like to sell to church members? In December during Coffee Hour you have this opportunity. Talk to me if your interested! In Peace, Jennifer Teed, DRE
December 17- Holiday Party
Once again we will be hosting a party here at 1st U.U. for Women Arise and their children. This organization helps women who have been released from prison re-enter society. This party needs much support, both volunteers and monetary donations. Please talk to Jennifer if you can help.