News | Home

First Unitarian Universalist Church of Detroit

4605 Cass Avenue

Detroit, MI 48201

Phone 313-833-9107

Fax 313-833-0127


January 4, 2004
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
Minister
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
Administration and Human Resources
Mark Bendure
Building and Grounds
Janet Thompson
Canvass & Finance
Dan Secrest
Development
Gwen Winston
Growth and Membership
Joe White
Religious Education
Carolyn Ludwig
Social Justice
Linda Darga
Worship
Kathleen Rock

Newsletter
Irene Schultz

Upcoming Services
January 18, 2004 Whispers of Troublemakers
"Getting ready, getting ready for the kings walk through?."
It causes me to tremble. What about you?
Rev. Larry Hutchison
January 25, 2004 Religions Effects on Culture
"All religions rise out of the deification of someone's nationalism"
Molefi Kete Asonte
February 1, 2003 Beyond Ignorance: Untangling our Duties
A program of song, poetry and massage.
On global A.I.D.S. with Felix and Paula Sirls

Newsletter Deadline
The next deadline is Sunday, January 18, 2004, 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.
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.














You, Me &

Larry is on vacation

 

All in the Family

 It is with deep sadness we report the death of long-time church member Lyla Moir.  Lyla died on December 25 and will be greatly missed.

 

Committee News

Choir

If you enjoy singing and want to have a good time, the choir is the place for you. There is no need to audition, just show up at the dates and time listed below.  All rehearsals begin at 9:30 A.M. and are usually held in Memorial Hall.  The rehearsal and performance schedule for the next three months is as follows:

January 4, 11, 18 rehearsal with performance on the 18.

January 25 no rehearsal

February 1, 8, 15 rehearsal with performance on the 15

February 22 & 29 no rehearsal

March 7, 14, 21 rehearsal with performance on the 21

March 28 – prepare for Easter

 

Development Committee

Margaret Beck has tickets for the play Yellowman being performed at the Detroit Repertory Theatre.  The tickets are for Saturday, January 17th at 3:00 P.M. and cost  $15.00 each. Margaret will be selling them during coffee hour or you can reach her at 313-882-7775.  Yellowman is the tale of a dark skinned African American woman and her childhood friend; a light skinned African American man and their experiences growing up.  For more information, contact Margaret at the above number.


Women's Book Club

.  Our February and March selections will be The Human Stain: A Novel by Philip Roth and Another Country: Navigating the Emotional Terrain of Our Elders by Mary Bray Pipher respectively.

 

 

New UU Orientation

An orientation for new or prospective members at First Church will be held for three sessions on consecutive Wednesday nights starting January 14 from 7:00 - 9:00 in Memorial Hall.

The series provides an opportunity for new members to meet more established members in an intimate atmosphere and learn more about Unitarian Universalism. The three sessions will allow us to:

  • get to know one another
  • share personal odysseys
  • learn about this church in particular - why it has existed, what it has represented in the community, some of its struggles and successes
  • learn about Unitarian Universalism and its history and beliefs
  • learn about the structure and activities of the congregation
  • discuss ways of becoming actively involved

I hope the series will prove as helpful to you as it has to past participants. It is often in these more intimate settings that one can get a better feel or understanding of the group you've chosen to become a part of.

If you have further questions, feel free to contact Dan Wiest or phone the church office.

 

 

In a Heartbeat

The original date for the showing of this film was postponed by the filmmaker.

Look for the new date in the next Newsletter.

 

 

Heartland District Meeting

Assistance is needed for the Heartland District Meeting to be held April 2 & 3.

Helpers are needed for registration and hosting a party Saturday night.

For more information call Gwen Winston at 832-2928.

 

February First Friday

Please join us on February 6th for our Hawaiian theme'd dinner. Reservations MUST  be made by February 4th by calling the church office at 313-833-9107 OR Peggy Wilkie at 313-255-5048 OR Irene at 313-838-3348 OR e-mailing Irene at the address on the cover of each Newsletter. Remember to please make reservations to ONLY the above people. Feel free to wear festive "Hawaiian" type clothes.

 

 

 

We Get Mail

First UU received holiday greetings from Edna and Aid Koss, Floy Cheney and Helga Herz.  The cards will be posted on the large bulletin board in McCollister Hall.


Community Ministry

Together Through Commonalities

We are joined together through commonlalities. It is our humanity which unites us and helps us to understand our bonds. Unitarian Universalism shows up as ou human qualities and enables us to better see ourselves and others.

Through community ministry, we gain insight into our individual and social values.

Wjat dpes ot mean to be members of First UU? What is it about UU life that we hold dear? What are our resposibilities to UUism in our church, In Detroit, in the region, in the world?

Through community ministry we will examine issues realted to the community of members of First Church, relationships. We will question our identity and how we influence and are influenced.

Community ministry provides opportunities to us to learn about each other and ourselves!

Gwendolyn Winston, Community Mininstry Organizer.

First Church Community Ministry is a partnership to respond to the unique, diverse needs and interests of our congregation.

Community Ministry Partners(to date): Barbara Stevenson, Sumarah Smith, Michelle Brown, Allison Parks, Gwendolyn Winston.

First UUism and Social Justice

I attended a geathering of members interested in social justice work. The gathering was called by Arlene and Jennifer Teed who were concerned about the absence of social justice programs sponsered by First UU. Arelene sent an email to a few folks whose email addresses were handy - and the response was cool! Sixteen members showed up and agreed to start three 1st UU social justice initiatives: Voter Registration, April 25 Freedom of Choice March in D.C., and food cooperative education and volunteerism. The group acknowledged First's long history of anti-war activism (dating back to WWII) and its correlation to the economy, poverty, homelessness and hunger.

Look for an announcement about the next social justice gathering.

Community Ministry & Social Justice: Voter Registration

Who is interested in our voter registration initiative? Arlene Teed, Gene Perrin, Jennifer Teed, Bob Teed, Mary Lou MAlone, Charlene Evans, Linda Darga, Robert Basso, Cindy Hill, Janis thompson, Wendy Culpepper have signed on so far. Call Gwen Winston if you will gift some of your time and talent to this 1st UU initiative!

Community Ministry & Social Justice:

Freedom of Choice March, Sunday, April 25, 2004, Wahington, D.C

For the first time in the history of the women's rights movement, a march is being called and organized by four major women's rights and reproductive rights groups - Feminist Majority, NARAL Pro-Choice America, National Organiztion for Women, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The march is to "tell the President, Congress, and the Supreme Court we will not let you take away our reproductive freedom!" Are you interested in organizing a 1st UU delegation, help spread the word, purchase a banner? Contact Gwen Winston.

SOCIAL ACTION NEWS

Thank You

I would like to thank the 19 people who came to the social action meeting after church Sunday.

During the service, I delivered a message of peace. These 19 people honored my challenge to get involved. If I listed the names they wouldn't surprise you. These people have been involved in social justice for years.

At our meeting we discussed many projects we could be working on over the next few months and years. We also realized though, that we can't do it alone. We need the participation of may more church members, friends of the church, and other interested folks. I know it was difficult for many of you to attend due to the last minute meeting announcement.

:Social action meetings will be held the 1st Sunday of the Month at 12:30. Please bring you energy and ideas to this meeting.

Len Zettel reminds us that our church website is available. He encourages us all to send him things we would like posted, as well as links we would like added. email him. This is a great place to post info about Social Justice Events around town.

Next time you catch a deal while grocery shopping, pick up a couple extras for the food basket on the chancel. Charlene and Jennifer will be making regular visits to Cass Methodist to drop it off.

Project Ideas

Cass Community Food Coop

The coop started many years ago. This grassroots group needs volunteers and other support. Please contact Benita Mullins for info.

Resource Card/Directory

We would like ot develop a resource for those who come to our church in need, looking for help. If you know of local organizations that provide help, or if you would like to help search them out, please contact Hillard Williams

    Other ideas suggested at the meeting included:
  • Bringing in canned food on potluck days.
  • Clothing pantry
  • Working with another organization
  • Anti-war efforts, concientious objector training.

Remember to bring your ideas to the next meeting!

Also: Please take note of the bulletin boards in McCollester Hall.

You are encoruaged to post things on the social justice Board as well as the What's Happening Calendar Space.

COURAGE UNDER FIRE

With speakers:
ISM Spokesperson, Adam Shapiro
Cindy and Craig Corrie, Parents of ISMer Rachel Corrie, killed by an Israeli bulldozer in Gaza
Brian Avery, shot in the head by Israeli soldiers

Exposing the Occupation

Come support the International Solidarity Movement in Palestine
Date: Friday, January 23, 2004
Time: 7:30 pm
Place: Heritage Manor
7258 Chase Rd at Warren Ave., Dearborn, MI
Coffee and Sweets will be served
Tickets $20.00 ($10.00 for Students) Proceeds for International Solidarity Movement

For more information contact Palestinian Office at 313 945-9660 or Danielle at 734 994-5479

Sponsored by the Congress of Arab American Organizations Co-Sponsors: Friends of Sabeel, Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice, Michigan Peace Team, Pax Christi Michigan, IHM Peacemakers

News | Home