October 2014 Vol. 63 Issue 10
Sermon Topics in October
CONTACT INFORMATION
Minister
Rev. Jennie Barrington
Office 501-225-1503
Home 501-313-4445
[email protected]
Office Admin
Sue McDonald 501-225-1503
[email protected]
Director of RE
Rachel Finley 501-225-1503
[email protected]
Music Director
John Perez 501-225-1503
[email protected]
Board President
Kater Renolds [email protected]
Minister Emeritus
Rev. Alexander “Scotty” Meek
[email protected]
STAFF HOURS
Minister’s hours
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
10:30 am - 2:30 pm
Office Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
9 am - 2 pm
Call 442-6623 before coming
Phone 225-1503
E-mail: [email protected]
Program Council Team Liaisons
Adult Faith Development
Joe Meehan
Children & Youth RE
Vacant
Communication
Sue McDonald
Facilities
Miranda Keith
Faith In Action
vacant
Fellowship
Nell Matthews
Membership
Cas Rifkin
Worship Arts
Margaret McLellan
1818 Reservoir Rd., Little Rock, AR 72227
www.uuclr.org [email protected]
Theme for October: Resistance
Oct 5
Coming Out Day Sunday and Gay History Month
Rev. Jennie Barrington
Oct 12
Gandhi and the Practice of Non-Violence
Rev. Jennie Barrington
Oct 19
Surviving Sons of Attu
Guest Speaker: Devin Keith
Oct 26
Unitarian Universalist Martyrs
Rev. Jennie Barrington
News from the
Search Committee Team
Thanks for everyone‘s help with the surveys and group
discussions. As a result we are better prepared to
create the information packet that will invite someone to
join us as our new settled minister next spring. During this stage of
work we are open to interaction with the congregation.
These results will provide a snapshot of who we are, and then
perhaps even allow this congregation to have a better idea of who we
want to be.
We are still working on ‗the information‘ packet. Is there something
you forgot to say on the survey, or you said it but want to be sure that
we heard you? Or do you have a new thought? We have nametags
now, so you can remember who we are. Feel free to talk with us at
coffee hour, send an email, or even ask for a bit of private time from
one of us. We are good listeners.
When we begin the procedure of contacting prospective ministers is
the time we must keep our contacts and deliberations private.
Dawn Harris (Chair), Bill Goolsby, Tucker Steinmetz, Kate Dokter,
Edith Bradberry, Rich Roy and Jerry Blackburn
Dear Members and Friends,
Recently I watched a few episodes of the new TV show, ―Utopia.‖ I wouldn‘t want
to turn you against it. The topic has been of interest to me for a long time. I once
wrote a paper on Liberal Utopian Communities and the future of Unitarian
Universalism. You are welcome to read it. So if you would like to, please ask me
for a copy. The TV show follows fourteen strangers who have been set up to start
a new utopian community in a lovely spot of rural California. As individuals they
each have a vision and desire to live in a new, different, better, and
counter-cultural way. But what bothers me most is that there isn‘t one vision or
mission at the core to unify them and their efforts.
Your excellent Search Committee is currently soliciting your answers to the
question, ―What is the burning coal at the heart of UUCLR?‖ through their survey and Focus Groups. I
hope you will let them know your answers as to why, uniquely, UUCLR is here, so they can provide
prospective ministers with one clear answer, instead of several disparate ones. In our recent Board
Retreat, which was very pleasant and productive, the board expressed that ―To Be the Best We Can Be‖
and ―To Be a Good Neighbor‖ are two core things for which UUCLR is here.
A utopian community must answer for itself many human questions and basic issues, as must a
congregation. Questions such as: ―Why are we here?‖ ―Why don‘t ‗they‘ agree with us?‖ and establishing
goals, objectives, work, sustenance, ownership, and authority. As I tried to watch the ―Utopia‖ TV show, I
dearly wished those fourteen souls had worked out many of these things before the taping began. The TV
show is called Reality TV. But the scenes, many of which were overly dramatic, seemed stagedlike fake
arguments that resolved with scripted reconciliations. But when a congregation has worked out their own
collective answers to questions of their values, priorities, covenant with each other, and ways they want to
be in relationship with the wider community, there is great good they can do, for and with neighbors near
and far. And the world is in great need of our liberal principles and ethos. UUCLR has clarified its answers
to many of these questions. But the question of how we want to be in relationship with the wider
community is the one UUCLR has met with some hesitancy in its history. So in the coming year, we all
will be working on that question. Why has UUCLR been hesitant about reaching beyond its walls in
church-wide social justice efforts? Perhaps it has felt shaky confidence, or not wanted to feel too
vulnerable or uncomfortable. And perhaps the myriad of ways ―social justice‖ can be defined has held
UUCLR back, as well. But in the coming year we will have many opportunities to show the wider
community our principles and values through the work of our hands (and feet!) The Gay Pride parade on
Sunday afternoon, October 5th will be joyful chance for us to do that. I hope many of you will join us in
walking or staffing a UUCLR table that day. I and your leadership want members, friends, and neighbors
to walk side by side with us.
Groups large and small follow utopian type visions to live as if a better world is already herea world that
values reverence for human beings, democracy, inclusiveness, the beauty of the natural world, and
greater heights in education, the arts, and non-violence. To so live is to practice resistance to the ways of
the dominant culture, and resistance is our theme for the month of October. There are many ways our
individuals and small groups are practicing resistance to a dominant culture which treats people and the
earth with indifference rather than reverence. These range from being vegetarian to believing prisoners
can have a fresh start. But collective action is always more effective than individual action. It creates more
support, camaraderie, and synergy. And collective action is necessary in so many arenas. As the Rev.
Dr. Martin Luther King said, ―There are some things in our social systems to which all of us ought to be
maladjusted.‖ I look forward to exploring possible collective responses to these things. As Marge Piercy
writes, in her poem, ―the Low Road:‖
Page 2
―Two people can keep each other
sane, can give support, conviction,
love, massage, hope…
Three people are a delegation,
a committee, a wedge. With four
you can play bridge and start
an organization. With six
you can rent a whole house,
eat pie for dinner with no
seconds, and hold a fund raising party.
A dozen make a demonstration.
A hundred fill a hall.
A thousand have solidarity and your own
newsletter;
ten thousand, power and your own paper;
a hundred thousand, your own media;
ten million, your own country.
It goes on one at a time,
it starts when you care
to act, it starts when you do
it again and they said no,
it starts when you say We
and know who you mean, and each
day you mean one more.‖
With love and faith, Rev. Jennie
Be the Best that We Can Be
That saying is going to be my motto for a long time. It seems simple and, perhaps, obvious. But it was
presented to us by the Unitarian Universalist Association as our tool for surviving and thriving.
I hear people talking about how our membership numbers have dropped and how we better get them up
and fast. We DO have very real challenges with our budget and, most likely, raising our membership
would bring in more pledge money. But sheer numbers won‘t necessarily pay the (larger) bills–and we
want to be cautious about how we raise those numbers. Many of us are convinced that by being the
best that we can be, we will attract (and keep!) lots of people who will become members. At any rate,
working towards excellence is a good thing by itself.
Ah, but HOW to be our best – that‘s the real question. And that‘s where we begin our work. Taking a
hard look at what we do and how we do it is a good start.
On September 5 and 6 your Board of Directors participated in a leadership retreat. The focus of the
retreat was ―The JOBS of UUCLR‘s Board of Directors‖ and what we can do with those. The theme of
the retreat–and, I think, of the year–is “Be the Best that We can Be”
Rev. Jennie Barrington talked to us about Social Justice. She also gave us an extensive list of the
things that UUCLR is already doing in this area. It was such a thrill to be reminded that this church is
very involved already. We have nothing to apologize for in that work.
When discussing how we might put our values to work in the outer community, the board came up with
three main areas of focus: Neighborhood Outreach - Climate Change - Homelessness
We also talked about a possible big event (ideally making some money) that might be a kind of Earth
Day Festival. We additionally put together an Ad Hoc Committee to study and recommend ways that the
church can better address the needs of our young families. Barbara Fuhrman and Miles McCullough will
be heading that up.
Lastly, we started work on what we are calling the ―QUUik Action Team‖ which would be a group
(probably an email-response group) of folks interested in getting out there to put our values in front of the
public. This might mean answering the call to participate in a protest, walk, or rally; answering a call to
help after a tornado; or maybe even putting on your Standing on the Side of Love T-shirts and showing
your support of our minister as she performs same-sex marriages!
Be Proud – Be a UU!
Kater Reynolds, Board President
Page 3
Religious Education Update
As we explore our theme of ―Resistance‖ this month, our Religious Education classes will consider our
second Unitarian Universalist source, the words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge
us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love,
guided by our Fifth UU Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process.
We are looking for workshop leaders or teachers to lead children‘s classes on October 5, 19, and 26. The
commitment is to work with one group of children for at least two Sundays on one or two projects. You
may also present the workshop to one group one week, and again to the other group the next week.
Activists and martial arts practitioners are especially encouraged to volunteer!
CaYRE Registration
Is your child/grandchild/niece/nephew registered for UUCLR Religious Education? Please be sure and
register any children who will be spending time in the nursery and/or RE classes. Having registration
information for each child allows us to communicate more effectively with you and create a safe, nurturing
environment for each child.
Register online: http://uuclr.org/faithdev/fd_cayre.html
Volunteer for CaYRE
This church year will bring many opportunities for you to use your gifts to deepen our children's
engagement with the church and our monthly themes. We want to offer workshops in drama, art, nature,
gardening, cooking, music, movement...there are so many fun and engaging skills and practices that we
can use as a medium for exploring our monthly themes! Perhaps you would like to tell stories, play
games, or teach from the curricula instead. Or, maybe you want to guide and mentor the children on
Sundays, while another volunteer leads a workshop or teaches from curricula. How might you serve
through UU children's religious education?
Contact Rachel Finley, DRE, to volunteer or for more information: [email protected]
Unitarian Universalist Association Fall Training 2014
November 7-9, 2014
Glen Lakes Camp and Conference Center
Glen Rose, Texas
Featuring ….








Introduction to Leadership and Spiritual Practice
Advanced Conflict Management
Congregational Stewardship with UUA Consultant Bill Clontz
Creating Vibrant and Meaningful Young Adult Ministry
Renaissance Module: Youth Ministry
The Ongoing March to Selma with the Regional Right Relations Specialists
RETURNING: Children‘s EvolUUtion Camp for Children 5 to 14
and INTRODUCING: Infant and Toddler Childcare.
For more information go to: uuasouthernregion.org
Page 4
IllUUmination Celebration
This year IllUUmination has been scheduled for
January 10 & 11.
Rebecca Roetzel is the
Coordinator this year and is bringing us new
ideas, experiences and meanings. Look for a
more "theatrical" and "sensual" IllUUmination
Celebration than ever before! IllUUmination is a
UU holiday begun at UUCLR by the Lovelace
Chandler family. While it celebrates "The Light,"
its meaning is still unfolding. IllUUmination is
always a very good time!
Endowment Fund Donations
The Endowment Fund of the Unitarian
Universalist Church of Little Rock gratefully
acknowledges a memorial contribution in honor of
John Howard‘s 95th birthday from Shirley Jo Pine.
Young at Heart
Thanks to all for coming out to our September
meeting, where we were fortunate to hear Kater
Reynolds and Miranda Keith pass along their
most meaningful and worthy gleanings from their
participation at General Assembly and at Dwight
Brown Leadership Experience in June and
July. And special thanks to both of them! Just
so you know, all our lunch proceeds collected
beyond expenses go to the Phyllis Bartlow Fund
that helps pay for district leadership training and
education for our church leaders. We think
Phyllis, our long time church member and the
originator of Young at Heart, would be pleased
with our small but important contributions.
We look forward to seeing everyone at the next
Young At Heart luncheon and program on
Tuesday, October 14. Please come before noon
for visiting and eating. Jeannie Brown and her
kitchen crew will serve lunch ($5), and Jeanne
will also lead a Readers‘ Theater presentation
after lunch for our program that day. Put it on
your calendar, and be sure to bring friends and
guests. Sounds interesting, doesn‘t it?
YoUUrs, Selma Blackburn
Expand Your Mind…
Read a Book!
The Between the Lines
Book Club will meet
Monday, October 6 at
7:00pm to discuss:
Isaac Newton by James Gleick
For information: Contact Allan Ward
664-5921 or e-mail [email protected]
Work Day in October
On October 4 we will work on the
usual projects inside and outside
UUCLR, 9:00am to noon.
Come and join the fun. Yes, work
can be fun when it‘s shared with
church family and friends.
Caring Coordinator for October
The Caring Coordinator for Oct. is Shirley Jo Pine.
Please contact her if you need assistance with a
family emergency or know of someone who needs
assistance. Contact Shirley Jo at 225-6766 or by
email: [email protected].
Exploring UU
The next Exploring UU class will be on Sunday
October 12 from 12:30pm-3:00pm following
coffee hour. This class is for newcomers and those
wanting to understand more about Unitarian
Universalism. We share our journeys and learn
what opportunities are available at UUCLR. Please
consider coming if you are looking for a place to
call your spiritual home! Please plan on eating with
us
at
the
ve g e t a r ia n
p o t lu ck
that
Sunday—you will not have to bring a dish as
membership team members will bring extra food.
Please sign up for the class by Sunday October 5
so that there will be enough packets and please
note if you will need childcare. You may sign up at
the visitor's table in Thompson Hall or email
[email protected] .
page 5
October
Birthdays
Nell Matthews .............. 2
Frankie Beers .............. 3
Margarette Taylor ........ 5
Bill Tremor ................... 9
Donald Mock ............... 9
Rachel Haman........... 11
Denay Hawk .............. 15
Janet Bowen.............. 15
Terry Bean ................ 19
John Haman ............... 22
Hazel Wilding ............. 23
Philia Hill .................... 23
Patrice O'Donoghue ... 25
Roy Mellor .................. 25
Rochelle Kaskowitz .... 27
Lydia Nelson .............. 29
Cathi Hollis ................. 31
Lucy Anderson ........... 31
Contact the church office at 225-1503 with
corrections or additions.
No Time to Volunteer? Sometimes
Membership Is Enough
No organization can exist on just money or just
time. It takes a combination of both contributions
(donations, pledges, etc.) and volunteer timethis
is true whether we are talking about UUCLR or the
Audubon Society.
Don't let your busy
schedule stop you from supporting good works.
Find an organization whose goals and works are in
alignment with yours and send in your dues.
Volunteers are essential, but being able to say that
your group represents 100 or 200 or 2000
concerned members is important, too.
Nell Matthews, Member of the League of Women
Voters, American Association of University
Women, ACLU, and regular contributor to Planned
Parenthood and Oxfam
Arkansas UU Cluster Fall Training
This training will be held at the UU Village Church
in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas on Friday evening,
October 31, and Saturday, November 1, 2014.
Friday evening will be an organizing meeting of the
Arkansas UU Cluster, and Saturday will be a seven
-hour training session on Stewardship and
Fundraising. Rev. Susan Smith, Southern Region
Consultant will facilitate both sessions.
Contact Nancy Kimpel at [email protected] if you‘re
interested in going or would like more information.
page 6
UUCLR Presents...
Poverty Part I: Homelessness
Poverty is the theme for UUCLR Presents this
year. Instead of bimonthly events, we will host
three events during the church year. The first
event, which will explore the homelessness issue
of poverty, will be on Saturday, October 25 from
9:00am to 12:00pm in Thomson Hall.
Based on post-event surveys, poverty and
homelessness were popular topics. Because the
need is so great in these areas, we anticipate a
high attendance. Email [email protected]
to make your reservation.
Game Night
The Young Adult Group will be hosting a game
night on October 11 at 6:00pm in Thompson Hall.
Because of the wonderful turn out and the great fun
that was had over the summer we intend to
continue the theme of all ages for the foreseeable
future. Please attend one and all and don't forget to
bring food, drinks, and board games! We look
forward to seeing you there. Contact Kate Dockter
at [email protected] for more info.
Drumming Circle
The Drumming Circle will meet on
Sunday, Oct. 12 at 9:30am. Come
join us in the Sanctuary. Please
bring a drum or other instrument if
possible. No experience is needed,
just a willingness to listen and join
Visit Our Library
The UUCLR Library is open for members and
friends, adults and children, in the Pehrson Room
except when RE classes are meeting. Visit and
browse for books on topics including Unitarianism
Universalism, comparative religion, social action
and public policy concerns, other cultures and
customs, personal growth,
meditation and
spirituality. Books are checked out on the honor
system. To offer help in maintenance of library or
for information, contact Shirley Jo Pine at
[email protected] or call her at 225-6766.
FORUM
RE-Questors for October
Sundays at 10:00 am ~ Thomson Hall
Oct 5
Oct 12
Arkansas Humanities Council
Paul Austin
Share-The-Plate: Arkansas Coalitiion
Against Domestic Violence
Rebecca Bennett
Oct 19
Arkansas Interfaith Power and Light
Scharmel Roussel
Oct 26
Topic: TBA
John Adams
RE-Questors Schedule for October 2014
A discussion of the varying
fortunes of nations
Primary Reference:
Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power,
Prosperity and Poverty
by Baron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson
You do not have to read the book
to join the discussion.
Book Exchange & Recycle Sunday October 4
Bring your electronics, batteries, 4‘ & 8‘ fluorescent light bulbs, ink
cartridges and CFL light bulbs. Bring your books and magazines to share.
Remember to bring your aluminum cans and metal every Sunday.
Leave recycling outside the side door of Thomson Hall.
Lance Scott recycles these items every week.
October Calendar
10:00am
Pilgrims and Strangers
Forum (Thomson)
(Emerson)
Pilgrims and Stranger (Emerson)
10:00am
RE-Questors (Pehrson)
Friday, October 3
RE-Questors (Pehrson)
11:00am
Worship (Sanctuary)
Prison Literacy (Offsite)
Worship (Sanctuary)
1:00pm
Americans United against the
Exploring
UU
Class
(Pehrson)
Saturday, October 4
Death Penalty (Thomson)
Vegetarian Potluck (Thomson)
9:00am
Work Day
Tuesday, October 21
5:00pm
Little Rock Folk Club
Tuesday, October 14
4:00pm
Our House Meal (Offsite)
(Thomson)
12:00pm
Young at Heart Luncheon
6:00pm
Strategic Planning Comm
(Thomson)
Sunday, October 5
(Pehrson)
1:30pm
Daytime
Covenant
Group
8:00am
Recycle Sunday and Book
7:00pm
Choctaw Crawdads (Thomson)
(Emerson)
Exchange (Thomson)
4:00pm
Stewardship / Finance Meeting
Friday, October 24
10:00am
Children-Youth Programming
(Pehrson)
Prison Literacy (Offsite)
10:00am
Forum (Thomson)
5:30pm
Program Council Meeting
10:00am
Pilgrims and Strangers ``
Saturday, October 25
(Thomson)
(Emerson)
8:00am
UUCLR Presents (Thomson)
10:00am
RE-Questors (Pehrson)
Wednesday, October 15
Sunday, October 26
11:00am
Worship (Sanctuary)
9:00am
Watercolorists (Thomson)
10:00am
Children-Youth Programming
1:30pm
Caring
Committee
(Pehrson)
Monday, October 6
10:00am
Forum (Thomson)
5:00pm
OUTER
CIRCLE
DEADLINE
7:00pm
Between the Lines Book Club
10:00am
Pilgrims and Strangers
5:00pm
Transition
Team
Meeting
(Office)
(Pehrson)
(Emerson)
Thursday, October 16
10:00am
RE-Questors (Pehrson)
Tuesday, October 7
9:00am
Watercolorists (Thomson)
11:00am
Worship (Sanctuary)
2:30pm
Membership Meeting
7:00pm
Choctaw Crawdads (Thomson) Friday, October 17
Monday, October 27
Prison Literacy (Offsite)
5:30pm
Board Meeting (Thomson)
Friday, October 10
9:00am
Watercolorists (Thomson)
Prison Literacy (Offsite)
Friday, October 31
Saturday, October 11
Saturday, October 18
Prison Literacy (Offsite)
6:00pm
Young Adult Game Night
Small Group Dinners (offsite)
(Thomson)
9:00am
Watercolorists (Thomson)
Sunday, October 12
9:30am
Drumming Circle
10:00am
Children-Youth Programming
10:00am
10:00am
10:00am
11:00am
12:30pm
12:30pm
Sunday, October 19
10:00am
Children-Youth Programming
10:00am
Forum (Thomson)
See the Online Calendar for
Updates - uuclr.org
page 7
Unitarian Universalist Church of Little Rock
1818 Reservoir Road
Little Rock, Arkansas 72227
Phone: (501)225-1503
http://www.uuclr.org
Outer Circle Policy: The Church Office reserves the right to edit all Outer Circle articles for content
and length. Deadline for publication usually falls on the 15th of the month unless holiday
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p.m. on the deadline date. Any articles received after the deadline may be omitted due to limitations of
time and printable space.