1. religion and spirituality

The Beacon
M ay 2015
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville
901 W. Cleveland St., Fayetteville AR 72701
(479) 521-8422 | [email protected] | www.fayettevilleunitarian.org
From Rev. Jim's website - theoluugy.weebly.com:
"I believe Unitarian Universalism is a ?life saving? religion, and I am committed to its growth. Growth in the
movement's understanding of its evolutionary ideals that keep it at the cutting edge of religion and
philosophy, growth of its communities - its churches and fellowships providing havens for liberal
religionists and collective social action, and personal growth for its members - the people who give to UU
their experiences, beliefs and ideals that become our principled whole. I am proud and excited to be a
Unitarian Universalist Minister, to serve and bring my talents to its people and institutions.
I believe that ministry is a partnership, a call to companion the congregation and the wider community in
witnessing the evolving tradition of Unitarian Universalism in creating community, justice, peace,
interconnection, and upholding love."
SUNDAY SERVICES
May 3rd - ?Teacher Appreciation Sunday?
"In Appreciation of a UU Education: The Teachers Among Us." A focus on how parents, teachers, mentors, friends,
and even enemies shape our lives. They help us know who we are and who we want to be. We will honor our RE
Teachers and explore what we mean by Religious Education.
Coordinated by the Religious Education Committee with Service Leader, Marty Faitak
*May 10th - ?The Meaning of Membership.? We belong to all kinds of organizations and communities in our lifetime,
some very clear about their purpose and rules for belonging. Belonging to a Unitarian Universalist Fellowship can
seem straightforward, and yet its depth is something that a Board, membership committee, and sadly a member or
friend (see! what is a ?friend??) might not ever really get. Come wander in this wilderness with fellow whatevers and
we?ll try and figure this out. *New Member Ceremony and Welcome Reception after! Speaker - Rev. Jim Parrish.
(Sunday Services continued)
Saturday May 16th, 6pm - ?Transgender in Faith Communities? Panel Discussion with guest panelist Stephanie
Mott of the ?Kansas Statewide Transgender Education Project.?
May 17th - ?Transgender Faith Journeys.? What is the reality of someone?s journey in life when their gender is part
of their discovery? Our dominant cisgender religious culture has severe repercussions for anyone who identifies
outside the ?norm.? How does one cope, discover, and become whole in a cultural system that uses religion to
repress and punish anyone ?coloring outside the lines?? Our guest speaker, Stephanie Mott of the Kansas Statewide
Transgender Education Project, will speak to her religious and personal journey, and how we might be allies to the
Transgender. Guest Speaker - Stephanie Mott, Coord. - Rev. Jim Parrish
May 24th ? ?The Poetry of My Ministry.? On the eve of my installation to UUFF (Sunday the 31st), I?ll share the
sermon I gave at the UUA?s Ministerial Fellowship Committee meeting where I was accepted into UU Ministerial
Fellowship. It is a poem that holds my account of Unitarian Universalism, my journey, and my hopes for ministry,
yours and mine together. Speaker - Rev. Jim Parrish
May 31st (11AM Service) - ?TBD? Guest Speaker - Rev. Jill Jarvis, Unitarian Fellowship of Lawrence, Kansas
May 31st (4PM Installation) - Installation of Rev. James Parrish as minister to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
of Fayetteville Arkansas. Guest Sermon by Rev. Nan Hobart.
THIS DAY IN UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST HISTORY
MOTHER'S DAY POTLUCK PICNIC
From "This Day in Unitarian Universalist History" by Frank Schulman
Sunday, May 10 - meet after service
On May 5, 1819, William Ellery Channing, "the father of
American Unitarianism,"preached the sermon "Unitarian
Christianity," known as the Baltimore Sermon, for the ordination
and installation of Jared Sparks 1 as the first minister of the First
Independent Church of Baltimore 2. The sermon lasted an hour
and a half, but only those in the first three pews could hear it
because the acoustics were so bad. It was translated into 7
languages and served to unite religious liberals under the name
Unitarian, which had previously been avoided.
Finger Park - 1525 SE Farmers Dr, Fayetteville
The text of the Baltimore Sermon can be found at www.channingmc.org.
1 Jared Sparks later became chaplain to the U.S. House of Representatives. He later
resigned his ministry and became a professor of ancient and modern history at Harvard, the
The Earth is our Mother! Bring a dish to share and
picnic gear for a relaxing, friend-filled Mother's
Day. We'll provide plates & silverware. Meet in
the Pavilion for discussion and fun. Open to all
ages.
The park offers several amenities including
restrooms, grills, a playground, half-court
basketball, a large open area, a small stream, and
a large grove of trees leading up the mountain to
an overlook.
first professor to teach nonecclesiastical history in any American college. He succeeded
Sponsored by UUFF's Covenent of UU Pagans (CUUPS).
Edward Everett as president of Harvard in 1849.
2 In 1912, the name was changed to First Unitarian Church.
Sunday Services 11 am
7 Principles of Unitarian Universalism
Adult Spiritual Discussions/ Activities or Buddhist Meditation
10-10:45 am
1.
2.
3.
Children?s Religious Ed. (4+) 10-10:45 am
Nursery care (free) is available from 9:30-11:00 for babies and
toddlers to age 4 and from 11:00-12:15 for children 7 and
under (or those with special needs for whom attendance in the
service would be a hardship).
4.
5.
UUFF Mission: As a diverse faith community, we promote
justice and service while seeking personal and spiritual
growth.
7.
6.
The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual
growth in our congregations;
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic
process within our congregations and in society at large;
The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and
justice for all;
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of
which we are a part.
To Be Determined
Recently a few of us from the fellowship attended an Arkansas regional cluster
meeting, hosted at Little Rock. The meeting was led by Rev. Carlton Smith of the
UUA, and his message centered around collaboration to solve problems of
membership and governance that we all share. This sense of ?coming together to
get things done? is within our move from districts to regions as well. We are not
in districts any more, we are not depending on a ?local? UUA presence and
structure, but now are being encouraged to be active in our own state and local
?clusters,? fostering relationships between churches, fellowships, clergy and UUA
representatives to build a better UU. In reality, this way of doing things is part of
our historical covenant, our congregational polity? our UU neighbors are to call
on us for help when needed, and we them. Doesn?t this make sense? Why do we ?go it alone? so much, when hands to
help may be nearby?
With this concept of collaboration another idea was presented? Experi-fail. Experi-fail is about trying something that
makes sense, an experiment in doing, and going with it until it fails or shows weaknesses, then make a new
experiment that is better... and on and on. Experi-fail. Our theology/ philosophy, governance systems, committee
structures, policies, or social justice stances, etc. will become what is needed for the time being, until something shifts
and it?s time to experiment again! This is a progressive stance in life.
In reality, this is Pragmatism, a truly North American philosophy started by William James and expanded by John
Dewey, two very UU folks as there ever were. Pragmatism, when practiced, does exactly as has been described with
Experi-fail: we posit a solution to a problem, and use that solution as an experiment until it no longer is efficient, and
then we start another solution. The trick is to not get attached to your present solution, but know it is an experiment
that will change!
We, Unitarian Universalism, are the quintessential pragmatic experiment in religion! We?ve been doing this from our
colonial beginnings, with claiming the unity of God (Unitarianism), universal salvation (Universalism), humanity of
Jesus, transcendentalism, humanism, eastern thought, feminism, and earth spirituality? each an experiment that
shook things up and caused failures in the religion that we would adjust the experiment around. Some of us forget
that our religion does not stand, but moves! Ours is not an easy denomination, but frankly, it is the one with the most
hope for causing peace and justice in our world that I know of.
So, that is Experi-fail, or pragmatic experimenting, on a large stage. We are doing Experi-fail on our own scale here at
UUFF, and it is fun, exciting, and a little scary at times! The solutions for how to welcome the visitor, serve the world
around us, and care for ourselves are not the same as they were even five years ago? don?t I know it! We cannot be
afraid of change, or we lose our edge. Our UUFF board has been working on pragmatic changes to our polity structure,
our committees are re-thinking what they do and how it is done so better ways are found. Witness a wonderful change
in Stewardship, and RE and Social Justice are looking for fresh ways to do education and justice that meet the needs of
a changing community. I am hopeful that we find new ways to do what I call worship, our mainstay of
philosophical/ theological education and community support experience. Our center around worship (I know some
dislike the word) cannot be exempt from Experi-fail, and I need your help in keeping it moving forward. What was
worship, even five years ago, may not serve so well in the coming decade. We may need services during the week,
another on Sunday, and experiments in music and art. Yes, this will take some thought to put together the
experiment? worship that all, young and old and of our many sources, can partake, enjoy and be fulfilled within. I
don?t see this happening soon, like a good experiment, it will take time and people to plan and make real, but like our
UUFF, it cannot remain static, or it will fail.
I have been called to be your minister for a year now, and have been among you since August. This is a great, vital
community looking to become, looking for ?next.? Some of you need UUFF to be stable and comforting, and that is
important, some are looking for deep education and thought, and this is vital, some are looking for great social works,
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and they are necessary. And some are looking for a community of like-minded and -hearted people with
whom they can celebrate their life, be comforted in loss, buoyed knowing they are not alone in this world,
and this is essential. Religion is about how we live, the choices we make around our beliefs that affect our
relationships and quality of life. Experi-fail is not just about committees, but it is personal, as we strive to
make our lives better and to be happier people. Our religion is one of openness, of exploration, of
accepting and doubt? it is a great experiment in living Principled lives together so we can be ourselves,
without creeds or dogmas that judge and divide. How this fellowship, this community works and plays
together reflects that openness. I am proud to be with you in this crazy experiment! It will take some time,
but that is what life is all about, using the time we have to live, love, hold hands, fail and succeed! And in
the end? it is all success, if you are pragmatic about it :-)
Peace,
Rev. Jim
Minister?s Schedule:
I tend to be in the office Tuesday through Thursday from 10am to 2pm, however call first to make sure I
haven?t been called away or have another appointment if you wish to drop by. Appointments are best!
Either let the office know, call at my Office Cell: 479-439-1415, or email me at
[email protected] or [email protected]. I want to meet with you! Except Mondays?
Mondays are my day off! Exceptions for emergencies of course. .
Planned days out of the office for May, 2015 (and a little more):
- In Tulsa for Southwest UU Ministers Association meeting the third Thursday of every month
- Personal Time May 1st-3rd
- Ministry Days and General Assembly June 22nd - 28th
Music in the Air
The Music Committee?s goal is to bring quality music into our services and programs in
an appropriate way. We meet monthly to discuss with Reverend Parrish.
Since fall, the choir has performed each month, and more music is planned. We have
hired Kristy Mezines as our choir director, and she and Rhimmon make a wonderful
musical team at the Fellowship. Both are exceedingly talented in many areas of music performance, direction, vocals
and even drumming (maybe you saw Rhimmon a few weeks ago playing piano and drums)!
We are looking forward to enhancing our musical offerings at the Fellowship, including quest musicians when
appropriate and available. Special services that feature music are also planned-- including the installation of
Reverend Jim Parrish on May 31st. Music is a part of each Sunday service, as well as other special occasions.
We are excited to grow our music program to involve more adults and, in the future, children. If you are interested,
please let someone on the Music Committee know of your interest, talents and/ or musical connections.
Music Committee: Charlotte Taylor, Carol Olson, Ruth Vacin, Quinn Montana
CHOIR- In preparation for Jim Parrish?s Installation Service, the choir will rehearse on
Wednesday, 5/ 20 & 5/ 27 at 6:30pm. We will be singing wonderful music and hope that all
past, present and future members of the choir will join us for practice and the very special
service. Newcomers & beginners welcome! No need to read music.
May
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
S = Sanctuary
D = Downstairs
O = Office
A = Annex
M = Minister's
Study
Friday
Saturday
1
2
10AM Women's
Wisdom (A)
9AM-12PM
Stewardship Day
4-7PM Oz. Druids
Gregory Park
3
10AM RE (A/ D)
11AM Service (S)
12:30 Maypole
(S & outside)
12:30 CofC Mtg.
(D)
4
6-7:30PM Drum
Circle (S)
6pm Youth and
Y'ALL meetingBancroft Home
5
6
7
8
6-8PM Dream
Circle Dinner Summerhill
9
9-11:30AM RE
Task Force Bkfst.
(S)
1-4PM Full
Circle Support (S)
10
10AM RE (A/ D)
11AM ServiceNew Member
Ceremony
12:30PMPotluck PicnicFinger Park
11
6-7:30PM Drum
Circle (S)
12
13
7PM Death Cafe
(TBD)
Garage Sale
Prep
14
6:30 Chalice
Team (O)
Garage Sale
Prep (S)
15
8AM-4PM
Garage Sale (S)
16
8AM-4PM
Garage Sale (S)
10AM WWC (A)
11AM Lunch
Angels
4PM Druids (A)
17
10AM RE (A/ D)
11AM Service
6PM Theology
Cafe (S)
18
6-7:30PM Drum
Circle (S)
19
11:30 AM
Committee on
Ministry (M)
6:30 PM Board
Meeting (S)
20
6PM
Membership
Committee (S)
6:30PM Choir
Rehearsal (S)
21
7PM Book
Club-McShane's
house
22
23
24
10AM RE (A/ D)
11AM Service
25
6-7:30PM Drum
Circle (S)
26
27
6:30PM Choir
Rehearsal (S)
28
29
30
31
10AM RE (A/ D)
11AM Service
4PM Installation
Service (S)
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP OF
FAYETTEVILLE
As a diverse faith community, we promote justice and
service while seeking personal and spiritual growth.
901 West Cleveland Street
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
Office: 479-521-8422 | Email: [email protected]
www.fayettevilleunitarian.org
May 2015
GOVERNANCE- Our congregation is
self-governing. We adopt our own bylaws and
budget, and we elect our officers. An elected
Board of Directors conducts the business of
the church. Members are Caroline Lennox,
President; Marty Smith, Vice President; Susan
Schroeder, Treasurer; Brooke Eldredge,
Secretary; Kris Hargis, Gini Gottman and
Andrew Gaber.
WHO WE ARE
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of
Fayetteville
Sundays: Sunday Services 11 am
Adult Spiritual Discussions & Activities 10 am
Children?s Religious Ed. (4+) 10-10:45 am
STAFF
Reverend Jim Parrish, Minister
Fawn Smith, Administrator
Teresa Honey Youngblood, RE Coordinator
Rhimmon Simchy-Gross, Piano Accompanist
Kristy Mezines, Choir Director
Rose Netherland, Nursery Coordinator
Office Hours:
Mon: Office Closed
Tues/ Wed/ Fri: 12-3 pm
Thurs: 12-4 pm
Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion. We
believe personal experience, conscience, and
reason are final authorities in religion. We put
religious insights to the test of our hearts and
minds. We uphold the free search for truth.
We are bound to neither statement of belief
or creed.
We offer a comprehensive religious education
program for children and youth. We explore
religious identity, social justice, teachings of
other faith traditions, and our own
Jewish-Christian heritage with a sense of
worship and fun.