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First Unitarian Universalist
Church of Detroit

4605 Cass Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201

Phone: 313-833-9107
Fax: 313-833-0127


November 18, 2007

First Unitarian Universalist Church
Organizational Chart 2007 - 2008

Officers
President
Alicia Biggers
Vice President
Glenn Maxwell
Immediate Past President
Linda Darga
Acting Board Secretary
Glenn Maxwell
Treasurer
Dan Wiest

Staff
Minister
Rev. Drew Johnston
Minister Emeritus
Rev. Larry Hutchison
Director of Religious Education
Athena Kolbe (Interim)
Music Director
Todd Ballou
Choir Director
Gwen Foss
Church Secretary
Wendi Winston
Building and Grounds
Joe Brimmer
Leonard Swint (Sunday)

Trustees
Lencha Acker
Sally Borden
Trey Greene
David Lingholm

Newsletter Editor
Irene Schultz

Drew’s News

This week I am offering a list that originated in some email some years ago. Since it is Thanksgiving, and the beginning of a season that challenges many of us, let this serve as fodder for appreciation, and feel free to add to it as you wish.

I am thankful, for the taxes that I pay, because it means that I have income.

For the mess to clean after a party, because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.

For my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am out in the sunshine.

For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home.

For all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means that we have freedom of speech.

For being caught in traffic, because it means I have somewhere to go – and so do all these other people.

For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because I am blessed with transportation and made it this far.

For my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm.

For the person behind me in church who sings off key, because they are singing boldly.

For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.

For living in a place that has seen hard times, and is creating a brighter future.

For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I have been capable of working hard.

For the laughter of little children, who may retain their sense of humor into adulthood.

And finally—for having retained some of my sense of humor so far in life.

See you in church!

Reverend Drew

Please visit our website for information on upcoming services.

In this issue:

Noel Night
Events for Children, Youth, & Families
Women's Alliance
Fundraising
Membership Committee
Oktoberfest Thank You
Noel Night
December Birthdays
20th Annual Kwanzaa Jazz Concert
Newsletter Deadline

 

 

November Events for Children, Youth & Families

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Wednesday, November 28
I Love to Shop -- Wear your red FUU t-shirt or sweatshirt and join us at the mall for a little shopping and some fun learning.
Friday, November 30
Nearly Noel Night Cookie Bake - Bring your favorite cookie ingredients and help make batches of cookies to distribute at Noel Night.

 

Women's Alliance

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Consider joining us for our monthly lunch and program. All are welcome. Lunch is only $6.00 and reservations should be made by noon of the previous Monday by calling the church office.

December 12
A Christmas Story and Sing-A-Long

Finally, get your cookie recipes out because the Women's Alliance will hold a Bake Sale on Noel Night (December 1) and would appreciate donations of delicious goodies.

NOTE: The December meeting is scheduled for the second Wednesday of the month.

 

Fundraising

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We had a great time seeing the wonderful play, DOUBT, at the Detroit Rep Theatre and going to the Traffic Jam for dinner. Our treasury is $115 richer now. I will have Entertainment books for sale at $20 each for a few weeks. They make great gifts. My nieces save money on the Pet Smart dog grooming, roller-skating, grocery stores, and many restaurants.

Thanks to all who bought tickets to the theatre for this fund raiser.    

Margaret Beck

 

Membership Committee

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Welcome and congratulations to the following people who have recently signed the membership book of 1st UU church!:

Nathan Andrew
Dessa Cosma
Ruth Decker
Rahman Harris
Ryan King

We will be having more pictures of both new and "old" members, along with the Board and others on the Bulletin Board in McCollester Hall. So look for new pictures. And if you want your picture taken and we haven't gotten to you yet, please feel free to talk with a member of the Membership Committee at Coffee Hour after church.

The Membership Committee: Alma King, Maysel Brooks, Nora Holt, and Sally Borden    

 

Oktoberfest Thank You

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Our heart felt thanks for all these people who helped make the Octoberfest a success.

Lencha and Al Acker
Alma King
Nora Holt
Faye Colling
Glen Maxwell
Joe Brimmer

We made $432.52 of which we have donated all to the furnace fund. The Mitchell's and Harvey's felt this was the perfect use of the money.

Many thanks for all that came.

 

Noel Night

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Overview
It is now the last week of November and that means Noel Night isn’t very far away. We have at least 15 wonderful vendors lined up but there is always room for elves to help out with cookie plate replenishing – and bringing; cider stirrers and greeters. This year the Faith Development folks will be offering soup and ask that some be donated. Please speak to Athena about that. Let Dan Wiest or Irene know what you can do to make our church really stand out on Noel Night.

Last Friday, November 30
That’s right: a twist on the usual First Friday. This is the big decorating night for the church house and Sanctuary. Come for the meal (pizza) to get the energy you'll need for the trees plus all the other items to hang, place, string and fuss over. Make your reservations by Wednesday, November 28.

Saturday, December 1

The exact schedule for the Sanctuary is yet to be decided. The performers will include our annual visit by the Edison Academy choir and the Ellington Conservatory of Music and Art (Choir, Band, Harps, Bells & Dance) Also performing will be Detroit Southwestern Choir and the Marygrove College Dance troupe.

McCollester Hall will be home to the Holiday Bazaar. See Irene Schultz for details.

Memorial Hall will host the best of First UU talent: musicians, storytellers and a singalong with the choir.

In addition to the usual free cider and cookies, First UU would like to offer complimentary soup to our visitors. (Not that we will turn away any donations for our trouble from our guests.)

We would appreciate volunteers for the following areas:

Multi-taskers are welcome.

As with much of our circumstance, our budget is tight. If you would like to donate toward the purchase of greens (trees, roping and wreaths) or other items, the following would be gratefully accepted:

  1. Candles for the luminaries
  2. Cookies cookies cookies
  3. Soups
  4. Cider

See Dan Wiest or Athena Kolbe for more info.

 

December Birthdays

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December 9
Bob Neale
Joe Samples
December 11
Marilyn Mitchell
December 13
Barbara Stevenson
December 17
Ken Meyer
December 21
Gail Twitty
Lee Thume
December 23
Ardith Dickason
December 24
Nick Greene
December 26
Charlotte Allen
December 28
Dorothy Allen
December 29
Jerry Gochnour
December 30
Adelia Minor


 

20th Annual Kwanzaa Jazz Concert

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Saturday, December 29, 2007 -- 7:00 PM

The Black Concerns Working Group of First U.U. Church presents the 20th Annual Jazz Concert in our elegant church surroundings deserving of its creativity and genius.

Each year we attract more and more people who appreciate and enjoy this timeless art form. The concert has become the most popular "In Place" to go during the holiday season. This 20th Annual Kwanzaa Jazz Concert features Detroit's own internationally renowned pianist Dr. Barry D. Harris and Ed Love of WDET-FM as our Master of Ceremonies.

The Black Concerns Working Group plans all year to make this concert a financial success. YOU can be an "INTEGRAL" part of this success by becoming more involved with the presentation of the concert. An important fact to keep in mind is that the concert is a fundraiser for the church. Your participation is urgently needed for its success. Your ticket purchases are tax deductible. To help support the concert, you may consider purchasing tickets as holiday presents, and/or sponsoring a group party, and even mailing our flyers in your greeting cards.

Our goal is to involve EVERY church member and friend to participate in making this a successful concert, in every way.

 

Newsletter Deadline

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The deadline for printed material is Sunday, December 2, 2007 no later than NOON or the following Monday no later than 5:30 p.m. for electronically submitted material. Articles may be emailed, by the deadline date and time, to ieschultz1945@yahoo.com. If you email items, please specify that they are for the newsletter.