|
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Detroit4605 Cass AvenueDetroit, MI 48201Phone 313-833-9107Fax 313-833-0127October 16, 2005 |
|
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 |
| ||||||||||||
I have been with 1st Church now about 2 ½ months. It seems longer, as there are a lot of events and activities, which provide opportunities to meet and talk with many of you. A short word about entering an already established group or community – there are orientations, inclusion rituals, even the special language and acronyms used in being included in the life of a congregation. Ministers are fortunate because we come into a ready-made community. That doesn’t mean all UU congregations are the same. They are not, and they all have their identities and different environments in which they are set.
I have learned through the years it is okay to ask the needed “dumb question”. It is an important way I can learn how this church community “works”, to better understand what it means to be a member of 1st UU. This is also a window into how the church welcomes, includes, and orients newcomers and new members, and whether the newcomer feels that it is a good “fit” for them, decide to accept our welcome and stays. Perhaps they will want to become a member…if we ASK them. For instance, where is our Membership Book for those who have already indicated they wish to join?
So I bring with me a “newcomer’s eye”, as does any person entering this church community would. I also bring a seasoned eye to offer you in carrying out the various tasks of interim ministry. I have a dual role here; as minister serving you during your transition, and as a church consultant, looking at the “how” of how things get done around here: membership, organizational dynamics, the groups and the “grapevines”, church governance, and more. It is good to be with you. Yours in faith.
Rev. Diana Heath
This has been an event filled month. The Board conducted its Retreat on October 1. Diana and Colleen provided an analysis of the "Holy Conversations" book, which many on the Board have read. There is still an anticipation that a further presentation including the congregation in this discussion will occur. In addition, the Board spent time identifying the Areas of Responsibility that are involved in the congregational life of the church. Colleen and Alicia Biggers were significantly involved in the development and presentation of an organizational chart to help the Board comprehend these areas. Thanks to our presenters and our Board members for their contributions to this Retreat.
The Areas of Responsibility identified are: 1) Sunday Experience, 2) Administration, 3) Building and Grounds, 4) Social Concerns, Outreach, and Activities, and 5) Finance. Each of these areas has subsidiary elements. In the Sunday Experience, we have Religious Education, Worship Committee activities, sound, music, aesthetic concerns, summer programs, hospitality, choir, intergenerational services, ushers and greeters, adult religious education, youth and children and special events. Administration covers Newsletter, public relations, office, personnel and building use as well as internet network and electronic forums. Building and Grounds covers the tasks of the Committee for Building and Grounds, maintenance issues, and kitchen issues. Social Concerns, Outreach and Activities include: Black Concerns, Social Justice issues and Committee, Membership, Caring, Women's Alliance, Adult Activities, Book Discussion groups, First Friday and Ethic dinners/circle suppers. Finance encompasses the Finance Committee activities, stewardship, canvass, capital fund issues, fundraising, and non-profit grant
Ultimately, the Executive Committee and Moderator appointed the following trustees to the following Areas of Responsibility:
Sunday Experience--Lencha Acker and Carolyn Ludwig
Administration--Mary Lou Malone and Irene Schultz
Building and Grounds--Jim Brown and Jackie McNaughton
Social concerns, outreach and Activities--Alicia Biggers and Linda Darga
Finance--Vice-Moderator Dan Wiest.
It is anticipated that the members assigned to the task areas identified above will provide a short conclusion regarding division of responsibility at the next Board meeting if there is more than one person assigned to an Area of Responsibility. I am grateful for the Board's development of this new organizational model and the willingness on the part of the individuals described above to accept specific responsibility for becoming knowledgeable about specific church areas. It is anticipated that this organizational model will better allow one or two persons to deal with specific issue areas and report to the Board as needed and provide guidance to the congregation or others as is appropriate. If a congregation member has a specific concern about one of these areas, the best person to go to initially would be the person(s) identified in the last paragraph. I recognize that there will be a period of "transitioning" and I am certainly willing to clarify the lines of responsibility and provide assistance so that we have an efficiently operating Board.
Certain Board policies were adopted at the last meeting and these include trying to keep our Board meetings to a 1 1/2 hour period (not to exceed 2 hours). Further, the Executive Committee determines the agenda approximately one week in advance of the Board meeting so it is important that action items from the congregation or from committees are presented to me a week in advance of the Board meeting. The Board meetings are the 2nd Monday of the month, so the first Monday of the month should be considered the submission date for action items for the Executive Committee's analysis and Board's determination. Written reports by the individuals involved in the Areas of Responsibility described above are anticipated at or before the time of the meeting. It is preferred that all action items and anticipated motions be presented in writing.
Respectfully and with thanks to all involved,
Jim Harvey, Moderator
Humanist psychologist Abraham Maslow has formulated a theory of the needs hierarchy of humans. Most astounding is that singing in choir covers 7 of the 8 basic needs of humans!
1. Biological (food, drink, rest, oxygen, etc...)
2. Safety (create a place of safety and trust)
3. Attachment (with music director, with each other, with listeners)
4. Esteem (pride in accomplishment)
5. Cognitive (making music improves IQ)
6. Aesthetic (art lifts everyone to a higher level)
7. Self-actualization (getting in touch with inner self)
8. Spiritual (sharing giving of self)
There are few other experiences that so thoroughly meet your many-faceted life needs. Todd Ballou
The following is the rehearsal and performance schedule for the rest of 2005. All rehearsals begin at 9:30 and are usually in McCollester Hall unless otherwise noted. All are welcome.
October 23 – rehearsal and performance
October 30 – off
November 6 & 13 – rehearsal
November 20 - rehearsal and performance
November 27 - off
December 4 – rehearsal and performance
December 11 – off
December 18 – rehearsal
December 24 – rehearsal and performance
I am selling tickets to the Detroit Repertory for the performance Heart Attack on Saturday, November 12 at 3:00 P.M. There are only a few left. Tickets are $15.00 each with $5.00 going to the church. See me during coffee hour if interested, or call Margaret Beck. Entertainment Books are also for sale for $25.00 with $5.00 going to the church. This fundraiser helps our budget and is a tremendous value. See me during coffee hour for these as well. If there is enough help, I will have a garage sale the end of October. Thanks to John O’Connor, Nicole Kozub, Jen Slazur and my neighbors the Andrews and DeLaurass for donations. If anyone would like to buy some white plastic chairs for $1.00 each, I have 8 for sale. Thanks for helping with these 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.
Day of the Dead Service – An Intergenerational Service
The children and youth of Second Story Church will lead the congregation in honoring loved ones who have passed on and those who have been forgotten. In the tradition of the Mexican Dia de Los Muertos, the youth will create an ofrenda, an offering table of flowers, candles, sugar skulls, harvest bounty and food to entice the spirits of the dearly departed back for one day each year. The congregation is invited to participate. You may bring photos and mementos and place them on the ofrenda before the service from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m.
If
you are looking for a sure way to get a great return on a small
investment, just spend $25.00 for the 2006 Entertainment Book. If
you use it 2 or 3 times, it pays for itself. If you save with it
even more on everyday things you would normally be doing, then you
are a FINANCIAL WIZARD! You can get 50% off and 2 for 1 discounts on
so many things: shopping, gasoline, dry cleaning, special events,
dining, movies, theatre, airlines, cruises, travel, hotels,
carry-outs, etc.
If you are looking for a way to help your church and also HELP YOURSELF, buy a 2006 Book from Margaret Beck. You could be on a budget, and still enjoy an inexpensive outing. My husband, Jay, used to say, “It was a cheap date!” Here are a few of Faye Colling’s suggestions: Attend one of 7 plays at the Hilberry or one of 5 Great Season Productions at the Bonstelle Theatre and get 2 tickets for the price of one. Save $5.00 on international breads at Avalon Bakery right around the corner on Willis St. Save $6.00 on a pizza meal at Niki’s in Greektown or Buddy’s in Dearborn, Farmington Hills, Livonia, Warren, etc. If you have young children and need an easy meal on time, save $5.00 - $6.00 on carry-out Subway sandwiches, Chinese food or pizza.
These past 13 years without my husband Jay, I don’t use my discount book as much, but I do enjoy “buying one and getting a complimentary second” to be with a friend, whether dining or attending special events like the opera. I buy 2 Phoenix, AZ books – one to use and one for a Christmas gift. These books are perfect gifts as one size fits all. Use for all gift-giving occasions. There are books for 160 cities from coast to coast. See Margaret Beck to purchase yours and support YOUR church.
Several new nametags have been made by Keely Robinson. Please pick them
up at the Visitor Table on Sunday. If you still don't have a name tag or have
lost yours, please tell Keely or Arlene Teed.
AND would everyone please wear your nametag every Sunday so we can learn each
other's names. That can help us become a real family!
This is also the LAST CALL to add your information to the church
directory revisions. Stop at the Visitor Table or see Arlene by October
30 at the latest.
Time
Share for RentOne week time share for rent in November or December. Properties are located in several states. Units may consist of a condominium/townhouse with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, full kitchen, living area and laundry facilities. For details contact Nora Holt
Ed. Note…Picture does not depict actual time share.
Daylight
Savings Time ends in the wee hours of the morning October 30th.
Don’t forget to set your clocks BACK an hour.Many Bioneers thanked the church for the use of our fine facility Saturday and Sunday. Our church kitchen was filled up with 4 chefs and various staff who all donated their time. It was a tall order to serve 150 people with all locally grown, organic food. Farmers and businesses donated much of the food. Mary Lou Malone recruited a staff of friendly faces from our church to assist in any way we were needed. The flexibility of church members to have coffee hour in Memorial Hall was noted. I wanted to pass the thank you on to church people and add my own. Many various groups were brought together and worked well together, thinking and networking toward a sustainable future. Well done! Along with feeding lunch to the conference goers, we enjoyed Café Violetta, a smoke free, family orientated event held Saturday evening. featuring world music, lots of dancing and a potluck supper.
There was also a Free Store happening in Pullman Hall. While all this was going on in the building, outside we had a group of people making wood chips out of the tree trimmings that had been on the front lawn. The chips were placed around the plants in front of and around the church buildings. Another job well done. Margaret Wilkie
The next Café will be on Saturday, November 12 from 7:00 P.M. – 11:00 P.M. at First UU Church in McCollester Hall. The cost is $5 – 10 sliding scale. Children and teens are welcomed with free admission and we are wheelchair accessible. A potluck with beverages and snacks is encouraged.
Last weekend I attended a great training in Grand Rapids – Lay Leader Training Part I. This was the first of a three-part training with a certificate at completion. The trainers were from the Bowling Green church and were excellent. Other trainings were Renaissance Module, OWL, and Planning for Growth. The Grand Rapids setting was terrific.
Fall Leadership Training Institute – October 13-15
The Leadership Training Committee can use your ideas. For more information call Barbara Stevenson.
Dear Dan,
A couple in the church gave me a goodbye check in July. I have deposited it in my checking account here, but I want this gift to support the church’s turnaround. So here is my contribution to the new era of the FUUCD, one of my favorite congregations. Over to you with love. David
Congratulations Gwen Winston for being chosen the Network Coordinator for the Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network.
There will be a conference beginning November 15, 2005 and continuing every Tuesday for five weeks after that. Voices for Earth Justice invites you to “>The Cry of Creation”, an interfaith study group. There is no fee for this conference and it is being held at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1315 North Pine St. Rochester, MI.
Congratulations
are in order to Maria Majer who recently completed her
tour of the United States by visiting all 50 of them. She completed
her goal by going to Rhode Island and Delaware a couple of weekends
ago.
2. Caroline Taylor, Mary Lee Ventzke
10. Nick Pappas, Diana Heath
15. Jim Harvey
19. Pearl Samples
26. Dody Brodersen
Top 9 Dog and Cat Characteristics
9. Dogs come when called – Cats take a message and get back to you
8. Dogs let you give them a bath without taking out a contract on your lifeT>
7. Dogs will bark to wake you if your house is on fire – Cats sneak quietly out the back door
6. Dogs will bring you slippers and newspaper – Cats will bring you a dead mouse
5. Dogs will play Frisbee – Cats will take a 3(at least) hour nap
4. Dogs will sit in the car seat next to you while Cats have to have their own private box or they won’t go at all
3. Dogs will sit, lie down and heel on command – Cats will smirk and walk away
2. Dogs will tilt their head and listen when you talk – Cats close their eyes and yawn
1. Dogs will give you unconditional love forever – cats will make you pay for every mistake you’ve ever made.
END
