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First Unitarian Universalist Church of Detroit 4605 Cass Avenue Detroit, MI 48201 Phone 313-833-9107 Fax 313-833-0127 September 4, 2005

Minister's Column: Disaster and Disasters

The power is out. The water is not drinkable. The mud and now, fetid floodwater seems it will never recede. When it does, another horror is there - recovering the dead for a trip to the makeshift morgue, and trying to answer some unanswerable questions.

In the midst of this enormous tragedy, I've often felt the only thing I could say was "I don't know what to say". It is hard to see the pictures, narratives, rating-driven, grab for stories without feeling the people suffering were being used.  And those portrayed, mostly African American, right off the bat, suffered the unkindest cut and indignity of being labeled 'refugees'.

There were so many poor, young, old, who had no way to leave the city, and those people were overwhelmingly African American. I've barely seen media images of Caucasian 'refugees'. No, the people waiting for basic services, much less the return of trust and hope, are black citizens. The editorials and op-ed pieces are writing hundreds of words, when they could write one - racism - whatever else they might write.

I know the Gulf Coast. I've been the length of it, from the tip of Padre Island up through the Florida Panhandle, and farther south. My mother, as a young child, walked barefoot in the 'Quarter. I served an interim at the 1st Unitarian Church, of NOLA. It's got to be in ruins, as it is not just in a flood plain, but a flood basin. How are the members? -I worry.

The UU Southwest District is posting on its web site information, what helps, and what wouldn't help right now. I suggest you check it out beginning with the front page of UUA.org.  The way to begin to be a part of that lifeline is spelled out clearly. I have family near a hard hit area, and we've spent days contacting, offering housing, school for their children in Texas, and family.  They were lucky - the house wasn't destroyed. The power and water are off, though, and chance of epidemic as the water stagnates, and as bodies begin to appear with the floodwater receding, means it's probably better to get the children out, the elderly, and those whose health is fragile. [And anyone else who has the sense to go.] 

What can be said?

Yours in faith, Rev. Diana Heath

Some people, I know, are still holding on, waiting it out, expecting the waters to recede as they always have, but it is a long way from happening. This unbelievable disaster and tragedy has brought out the best and worst - random shooting and looting, and generosity, and instances of heroism. I am talking about the people in and around New Orleans, and up the coast. Perhaps you have felt, as I have, we ought to be down there, helping. The chaos, the outrage that it took so long to get help through, the people hurting all over the country - you'd think we could just go down there, and make it right again. It's been a week. But we would be turned back, by those already organized and supplied to fan out and search out survivors, and get communication back and forth for those seeking loved ones who haven't yet 'phoned home'.  It is a tragedy of unimaginable proportion, and I have felt sick to the bone, at what our people have endured, others not able to survive. When I speak, what comes out is "I don't know what to say - -".

I know what to do for now, however. Send what money I can. The UUA.org has a web site for offering housing, respite, money for supplies. So have other agencies. As for blame, there will be plenty to go around, and as for the hurricane itself, there is no one or no thing to blame. Nature is larger than any of us can control. We can respond, however. I urge you to take stock, and make your first response. After the horrors of Sept. 11th, the rest of the country made it clear that that city was their city also. New Orleans, and the rest of our 'third coast' can make it clear to us we can be part of the enduring effort to restore it...not for our vacations, but for the people for whom it is home. When you realize it could have been any one of us who could have lost everything, then that is a place to start. Ground Zero this time - the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina - is spread out over a whole region of our country. Let's get busy, people!

Yours in the Faith,

Rev. Diana Heath

Greetings from Kathe Stevens!

Thank you for electing me to the Ministerial Search Committee.  My responsibility on that committee is to put together the informational packet for ministerial candidates.  As part of that process, I’ll be wandering around on Sundays with my camera to catch snapshots of your smiling faces.  But if any of you have any digital photos of church members and church activities that you’re willing to share, could you email them to me. I need the photos by October 1^st.  Thank you for your photos, and thank you for your help in convincing our new minister to make 1^st UU his/her new Church!  -- Kathe

Committee News

Membership

First Friday will resume on Friday, October 7. There will be a catered Mexican dinner at 6:00 P.M. The cost will be $7.00. Please make reservations by phoning the church office at 313-833-9107. The program will be films and games.

Noel Night

There will be a Noel Night planning meeting September 25 at 12:30 P.M. in Memorial Hall.

Worship Committee

Thank you to Todd Ballou who will direct the choir, as well as play the organ, until a replacement director is hired. With the exception of the month of September, the schedule is as follows: Rehearsal and performance will be the first Sunday of each month; off the second Sunday and rehearsals on the third and fourth Sunday. Rehearsals on fifth Sundays will be determined. The choir will rehearse at 9:30 either in Memorial Hall or the Sanctuary. Rehearsals will begin September 11^th with the first performance on October 2^nd.

Women’s Alliance

Join us on Thursday, September 15^th at 6:30 P.M. for a Rummage Sale Preview Spaghetti Dinner and Entertainment. This is a great way to see (and purchase) all the wonderful buys at the rummage sale before it is opened to the public on Friday. Come and support the Women’s Alliance and First UU Church. The cost of the dinner is $7.00. Reservations are a must and need to be made by September 13^th by calling the church office at 313-833-9107 or Irene Schultz at 313-838-3348 or emailing her at the email address on the front of the Newsletter.

Fundraising

Entertainment Books are here! The books are $25 each with $5 per book sold going to the church budget. The books will be sold during coffee hour or call Margaret Beck at 313-822-7775.

Book Discussion Group

On Sunday October 2, 2005, the Women’s Book Club will meet for a discussion of banned books. This is our way of commemorating Banned Books Week, which is from September 24 to October 1, 2005. Each participant is to have read a banned book of his/her choosing. Some of the titles we have discussed in the past have been To Kill a Mocking Bird, Go Ask Alice, Dr. Dolittle, and several children’s books by Judy Blume. I have been surprised and at times mortified by the reasons certain groups gave for banning a book. I would encourage everyone to read a banned book this month and to investigate why it was banned. The American Library Association web site is an excellent source of information, as would be your local librarian. You are also invited to join us on October 2, 2005. Maria Majer

MEET Alicia Biggers ("a little sugar in my tea please" to complement the little sugar in her voice) is one of the new members of our Board of Trustees.  And what a dynamic presence she is!

Born in Charlotte, NC, and raised in Tampa, FL, she spent many childhood summers with an aunt in Brazil.  Although she came to Detroit in 1994 to get an MA in Library Science at WSU, she still has trouble with the polarization she finds in this northern city.
"People in the South have learned to accept each other better," she says.  Active in her Detroit neighborhood association and various community groups, Alicia's longing for a spiritual community brought her to First Church for last year's Water Communion, and she soon became an active member. As a new Trustee, her primary areas of interest are Growth, MOSES (which she helped to establish here due to her interest in community social action) and UUCP.  She is also helping to develop an organizational chart which will better delineate the responsibilities of the various church groups. Alicia's education and her daytime job as Senior Data Research Supervisor for Ford Motor Company have given her tools to assist First UU in becoming a Church which truly practices the 7 Principles which she values so highly.

 Welcome, Alicia! You may be a small person physically, but you're going to help our church become BIGGER and BETTER!
Ed. Note...This is a new feature Arlene has started and a great way to get to know each other.

BUILDING USE UPDATE

Thank you to everyone who helped clean up Pullman Hall.

Also, thank you to everyone who supported the Road to Detroit with their friendly faces, work, and time.

We currently share our space with the following groups and individuals:

• Unity Fellowship, Rev. Darren McCarroll Pullman Hall, Sundays, 9:00-2:00

• NA, Pullman Hall, Tuesdays, 9:30-1:00

• Café Violeta, Pullman Hall, bi-monthly, Saturday evening

• Cotman and Associates, Lower Study

• Grainenger Massage Therapy, Room 210

• The Yoga Place, Room 200, Tuesdays and Thursdays

• Detroit Summer, Room 206

• UUCP, Wisdom Institute, and Women’s Culture Center share the WCC rooms.

• B. J. Williams Catering, Kitchen, Tuesdays and Thursdays

I have discovered that we need a team of Friendly Faces to support one-time events in our building. Friendly Faces may provide office support, sound support, kitchen support, security support, and just be generally helpful. The following events need our Friendly Faces:

• Detroit Bioneers Lunch, McCollester Hall and kitchen, October 15 and 16

• Election Day, McCollester Hall is a polling place

• Just Friends Dinner for the Homeless, January 1, 2006

See Mary Lou Malone to help with any of these events. Join the Honor Roll of Building Use Volunteers.

The Pullman Hall clean-up crew were Alma King, Nora Holt, Janet Thompson, Kathy Rock, Vanessa Gant, Mark Schwing, Eiko Takemoto, Janice Thompson, and Joan Gnice.

The friendly faces who supported the Road to Detroit event were Dan Wiest, Jon Schultz, Irene Schultz, Maria Majer, and Joan Gnice. If I’ve forgotten anyone’s name, please tell me so you can be mentioned in the next Newsletter. Mary Lou Malone

Help Feed the Homeless

Please join us September 18^th and October 9^th at 8:00 A.M. at Cathedral Church of St. Paul (Woodward & Warren) to help serve breakfast to those in need. All invited! Mark Schwing

Film Series

The Community Ministry and the Center for Women’s Culture will be hosting a film series starting Sunday, September 25 at 1:00 in the Center for Women’s Culture. The films that we expect to show will include:

The Last Best Chance (anti-war)

The Sunset Story (2 elders in a UU nursing home)

New Heros (social entrepreneurs)

Home of the Brave (Viola Liuzzo)

Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price (Wal-Mart)

The End of Suburbia (end of oil)

The Murder of Emmet Till

Peace by Piece (women & peace)

And much more! A special holiday show on December 18^th will be “It’s a Wonderful Life”. A love offering will cover the cost of snacks and soft drinks. We need 2 or 3 volunteers. Call Barbara Stevenson at 313-863-6891 for more information or to volunteer. A specific schedule will follow.

Faye Colling Reports

I have not completed all the returns from the August sale on Longfellow in the Detroit Historic District as yet, but will announce the final church profit in an upcoming Newsletter. For now, we all thank the U.U’s who worked that Saturday and Sunday. They are: Lawrence Secrest and Ryan Darnton, two university muscle men, Colleen Dolan-Greene and Kathy Rock who worked two full days, as did Janet Dawson, the owner of the property the church was using. Others who pitched in were Keely Robinson, Trey Greene and their Venezuelan guest, Pelin. Chris and Jackie McNaughton, Alma King, Carolyn Ludwig, Linda Burton, Marianna Snyder, Helen True, Sally Borden and Daniella Troia were on hand as well. Jeanne Slasor, who seemed to have purchased more than she sold, was helping too. Ivan Cotman, Nora Holt and David Robinson visited us after church on the Sunday and helped raise funds for our church.

There is still a round oak table with cane backed chairs for sale. If interested, call Faye Colling or see her during coffee hour.

Heartland District

The registration deadline for the 2005 Fall Training Institute is September 23. The dates are October 14 – 16 and the event is in Grand Rapids, MI. The brochure and registration form are available in the church office.

UUA & UUSC Establish Gulf Coast Relief Fund: A Message from the Rev. William G. Sinkford

I am writing to share the news about the newly created UUA-UUSC Gulf Coast Relief Fund. With each passing day we learn more about the devastation caused by hurricane Katrina. In the midst of this profound tragedy, I am heartened by the determination of so many Unitarian Universalists to find a way to help. To support their efforts, The Unitarian Universalist Association has partnered with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee to establish the UUA-UUSC Gulf Coast Relief Fund. The fund has already accepted an unprecedented outpouring of gifts totaling more than $50,000, a figure that is increasing hourly. All funds received will be distributed under the auspices of the UUA's Southwest and Mid-South Districts and will be used entirely for hurricane relief. The two districts will establish a panel to distribute funds to local relief efforts and to UU congregations so that their ministries in their communities can be restored. I urge you to be as generous as possible in support of our faith community. In this difficult time, I am proud that Unitarian Universalists are coming together to help lighten the heavy burdens of our brothers and sisters.

For more information go to uuworld.org

In Memoriam

There will be a joint memorial service for Louise and Robert Walter on Wednesday, September 14 at 2:00 P.M. at First Unitarian Universalist Church. Louise and Robert met at the Young Peoples Social Club at First UU over 50 years ago and will be greatly missed.

Gospel & Soul: A Motown Celebration

Brenda Warren, the mother of JR Warren an African American Gay man, who was slain in a brutal hate crime in West Virginia in the 90's will be our guest speaker at this year's Gospel & Soul on September 17, 2005 at First Unitarian Universalist Church from 5-9PM. 

On its face the Warren murder bears an eerie resemblance to the brutal and much-publicized slayings of Matthew Shepard in 1998 and Billy Jack Gaither in 1999. But the case never received the outpouring of media coverage showered on Shepard and his family. And Warren's death offers a rare inside look at how rural conservative Christians grapple with vexing questions related to religion, sin, and homosexuality in the aftermath of a violent murder. 
This third annual "Gospel & Soul: A Motown Celebration" is sponsored primarily by the Human Rights Campaign, the largest national gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country.
Scheduled to perform this year are Delphine Abraham, Brenda Cameron, One Voice Choir, Emily Daniels, Full Truth Praise Team, Free Indeed Church Choir, Curtis Crowell, Cornell Franklin & Marussa Rose and Ortheia Barnes. Opening Ceremony with the pouring of Libations will be performed by Kofi Adoma and Torrena Dye. 
For additional information about this year's gospel and soul visit e-kick.com/or call Gospel & Soul Hotline 313/438-2222. 

The Great Turning - Events with Joanna Macy - Sept 23-25, 2005

The Great Turning is a name for the essential adventure of our time:  the shift from an industrial growth society to a life-sustaining civilization.

 Join us for a public gathering of kindred spirits on Friday, Sept 23 7-9:00 PM at Birmingham Unitarian Church - free-will offering.  There is also a workshop for wimmin on Sat Sept 24 and Sun morning, Sept 25 at Louhelen Baha'i Retreat/Conf Center in Davison.  Contact Peg Collins for a registration flyer or more.

Items from the Internet

How Smart Is Your Right Foot?
This is so funny that it will boggle your mind. And you will keep trying
it at least 50 more times to see if you can outsmart your foot. But you
can't!!!
 1. While sitting at your desk, lift your right foot off the floor and
make clockwise circles with it.
2. Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right
hand. Your foot will change direction!!!

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