1. religion and spirituality

volume 39, issue 20
always available online at www.uuccharlotte.org
October 22, 2014
The Mission of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte is to inspire children, youth and adults to discover and articulate deeper
spiritual meaning evidenced in lives of integrity, compassion and stewardship of the earth.
La misión de la iglesia Unitaria Universalista de Charlotte es: inspirar a los niños, jóvenes y adultos para que descubran y articulen un significado espiritual profundo, evidente en una vida de integridad, compasión y en el manejo de los recursos de la tierra.
OUR IN-THE-MOMENT RELEVANCE
From Your Stewardship Team
I’m still in full celebration mode now
that the civil right of marriage has
been legally upheld for all North Carolinians. I’m also still energized from
the Rev. Dr. William Barber’s recent
visit, which brought three electrifying
and very inspirational opportunities to
hear him talk about the challenges and
successes of the Moral Monday
movement.
Both of these experiences are indicative of our church’s
long-standing commitment to social justice issues. UUCC
has been very involved in defeating Amendment One and
standing up to the legislature’s regressive and harmful actions that adversely affect our elderly, minorities and children. We have taken to heart these words from Andrew Carnegie: “Do real and permanent good in this world”.
We are recognized in the media as an important voice on
these critical issues. Our minister, Jay Leach, has been outspoken and is now regularly asked to comment when social
justice issues are in the news.
I’ve talked with several visitors and new members, asking
them why they chose to visit or join our congregation.
Many of them told me they were drawn to UUCC by our
support of social justice, having heard about UUCC on TV,
the internet, or in the paper. Several have gone to our website to find out more about us before visiting as well as listening to Jay’s sermons on podcasts.
The relevance of our church within the greater spiritual fabric of our community is growing and expanding, and this is
resonating with those discovering UUCC for the first time.
For us to continue to build on these successes, we have
(Continued on page 11)
ENVISIONING THE FUTURE:
A CONGREGATIONAL CONVERSATION
Please join the UUCC Vision Steering Team on Sunday,
November 23, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary for a
conversation about the Vision Process. The first part of the
agenda will include introductions of the Team, a background of the Vision Process, a review of your input on the
vision objectives/questions, and a review of the Team's research of current and projected
demographics for the Charlotte
Metropolitan/Metrolina area,
including data about religion.
You will then have an opportunity to participate in discussions
about the information provided
and to share your knowledge and
observations to help with this
important process.
This will be the first of many
opportunities for you to participate in the Vision Process. If you have questions and/or
comments, please talk with a Vision Steering Team member
or send an email to [email protected].
The UUCC Vision Steering Team
Inside this issue:
Join the Adult Choir this Holiday Season
3
Piedmont UU Church Auction
4
‘Tis a Lovely Day for Jousting and Joking
5
Let Your Life Speak
7
“Discover the UUCC”
11
Page 1
FROM THE MINISTER
Autumn in the southeast doesn’t show up on some strict
schedule. In keeping with our region’s often countercultural cantankerousness, it complies with no commands
from a calendar. So, this season meanders its way here,
weaving itself in and out of our days with a kind of nowyou-see-me/now-you-don’t capriciousness. A morning’s
crisp chill can readily morph into what feels so much like a
summer afternoon. A day suggesting a sweater turns out to
be shirt-sleeve weather. Leaves may drift down onto a
backyard garden still yielding up a bit more bounty.
I love fall’s fickle flirtation. As a native of this region, it
feels right to me that we ease into this moderating season at
a rather languid pace. Bridging between the swelter of
summer and the chill of winter, let us have as many moderately erratic days as we can, days when the weather catches
us off-guard again. May we be surprised at the prospects
for yet another comfortable evening and then another out on
the porch, even as the view now includes an ever-saturating
palette from the nearby trees.
a bit, to our souls in this season. We can listen deeply to the
mood of the year and relish its “favorable and poetic” flavor.
Thoreau wrote:
Live in each season as it passes: breathe the
air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each. . . .
Be blown on by all the winds. Open all
your pores and bathe in all the tides of Nature, in all her streams and oceans, at all
seasons . . . Grow green with spring, yellow
and ripe with autumn. . . . For all Nature is
doing her best each moment to make us
well.
Peace, Jay
Those American Transcendentalists experienced a symmetry, a soul-connection between humankind and the rest
of nature. “Our moods vary from week to week,” wrote
Henry David Thoreau, “with the winds and the temperature
and the revolution of the seasons.”
For all of our capacity to anesthetize ourselves against the
vagrancies of “the winds and the temperature,” there is,
within some deeper place in us, a connection, an influence.
So, an autumn 1855 entry in Thoreau’s journal assessed:
“This, too, is the recovery of the year,--as if the year, having nearly or quite accomplished its work, and abandoned
all design, were in a more favorable and poetic mood . . .”
After having bemoaned the searing heat of summer in Concord, Thoreau now relishes more “favorable and poetic”
days when his spirits, along with “the year,” experience a
time of recovery.
Who of us is oblivious to his sentiments and to his deep
sense of connection between the “mood” of these days and
our own temperament? Those of us blessed to live in a region where early autumn weekend outings include quick
getaways to kaleidoscopic mountain vistas for some and
last days on the beach for others are among the ones most
able to appreciate just how “favorable and poetic” this time
of year can be. Even if our days simply include a brisk
morning’s walk in a nearby park or a quiet evening listening
to the cricket’s chorus growing languorous, we can appreciate the “recovery” we are being offered.
Amidst all that calls on our time, commands our attention,
furrows our brows and weighs on our hearts, we can attend,
Page 2
SUNDAYS AT THE UUCC
Podcasts of Jay’s Sunday Sermons
Available on UUCC Website
If you have missed a recent Sunday service or you would
like would like to hear a podcast of just Jay’s Sunday sermons, please visit our website at
http://www.uuccharlotte.org/all_podcasts.asp. Sermons are
also available on iTunes, our RSS feed and via our Facebook page.
Help us have fresh flowers
in the Niche
Commemorate a birthday, an anniversary or acknowledge a special person
or event by donating fresh flowers for
the niche. Call Alesia in the office
(704) 366-8623 to reserve the Sunday
you want. Then send a check for $55
to the office, and we’ll handle the rest.
CONGREGATIONAL CARE
If you know about a need in our
congregation—an illness or injury, a
hospitalization or surgery, a death—
what can you do? Please inform a
member of our professional staff.
Your Presence is Joyfully
Requested at
The Wedding Ceremony of
Lee Knight Caffery and Dana Draa
on Saturday, November 1 at 4:00 p.m.
at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte
Because you have shared in our journey,
believed in us, encouraged us and loved us,
we invite you to share in our joy and join us,
at long last, in celebrating our legal marriage ceremony.
Champagne and confections following in Freeman Hall.
RSVP to Lee Knight at
[email protected] or (704) 650-3461
MUSIC NEWS
Song Circle to Meet on October 23
Led by Rich Greene and
friends, this group delves
into the rich tradition of
singing folk music in an
intimate setting. In addition to offering songs,
Rich takes requests too.
The next meeting of our
Song Circle will take
place on Thursday, October 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the upstairs
area of the foyer. The group typically meets on the second
Thursday every other month with the next meeting scheduled to take place on December 11. Questions, contact Rich
Greene at (704) 367-1895.
Music Program Retreat a Success!
Thirty-Three members of our Music Program gathered on
Saturday, October 19 to build community, be inspired, learn
something new and have fun. Highlights of the annual retreat included a Taize-inspired service using songs from our
hymnals, melodic percussion with John Burns, choral diction and technique with Mignon Dobbins from WinstonSalem UU Fellowship, guided mediation with Shelagh Gallagher and a song circle with Eddie Wielunski. Silliness ensued with small group performances of UU hymns in musical styles ranging from rap to country (imagine “Blue Boat
Home” in hip-hop style). Many thanks to members of our
Music Team for organizing and staging the event – Jim Alexander, Sharon Baker, John Burns, Shelagh Gallagher, Leslie Pugh, Paul Wagner and Eddie Wielunski –
and to Jan McNeely and Lisa Lackey for their help in set-up
and decoration.
During the retreat, members shared what the UUCC Music
Program means to them. Here are just a few:
 Combining the magic of making music and the affirmation of fellowship with like-minded people is nothing
short of transformative.
 Singing, for me, is the breath of life. I cannot live if I
cannot sing. It is how my spirit expresses itself –
through my vocal cords, even my entire body. When I
sing, I vibrate and shine with life!
 The music program to me is a source of social and spiritual nourishment. I feel closest to what is sacred or holy
when I’m singing, and by getting me out of my house it
keeps me from being a complete hermit!
 My word for the music program is Joy!
John Herrick
Director of Music
Join the Adult Choir this Holiday
This December, the Adult Choir will be presenting
a holiday music program at Avante Assisted Living Center
on Sunday afternoon, December 7 and at UUCC
on Saturday evening, December 13. The choir will also
sing at UUCC's annual Christmas Eve service. If you would
like to sing with us for the holiday season, please come to
our weekly rehearsals, beginning in November. Adult Choir
rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings, 7:00 to 8:30
p.m. in the sanctuary. For more information, please contact
John Herrick.
John Herrick
Director of Music
Page 3
DENOMINATIONAL CONNECTIONS
Did you know we have a Partner Church
in Europe?
– although the trip is priceless. To find our more about visiting Transylvania or how to learn more about our partners,
visit the DCT table.
And Closer to Home …
Our sister congregations!
Indeed we do – and we’ve been partnered with its members
for almost 25 years! Located in the small village of Szabed,
Romania, it is one of the many ethnic Hungarian Unitarian
churches in this scenic area of Transylvania. Yes, THAT
Transylvania, the place of
mysterious legends and,
more importantly, the
place where our Unitarian
faith has its roots. It was
in this area of central Europe that 500 years ago
King John Sigismund declared himself to be a Unitarian and
issued a decree that his kingdom of Transylvania would reflect his beliefs and become a place of religious tolerance –
pretty much unheard of during this period of the Reformation. Unfortunately, the young king died shortly after his
declaration and the religion he so admired continued as only
a small and marginalized faith. This history of persecution
continued into the 20th century when its Hungarian inhabitants suddenly found themselves Romanian residents (a
WWI spoil of war). Another war and the Communist era
left them financially devastated, powerless, and suffering as
both as an ethnic and religious minority.
Enter the UUA and the Partner Church Program, matching
Unitarian churches in Transylvania with ones in North
America for both financial and spiritual support. Our
church was one of the first to request a partner and was
paired with the Unitarian Church of Szabed around 1990.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to remember this important relationship when “out of sight, out of mind.” Despite a visit by the
minister of the Szabed church and his wife less than five
years ago and a number of popular fundraisers, few people
in our congregation know more than the basics about our
Translvanian partners. Our congregation’s Denominational
Connections Team does its best to keep them visible with
information displayed on its table in Freeman Hall. In addition to an annual fundraiser, the team keeps the personal
connection alive through email messages and seasonal
greeting cards. The Team invites you to stop by the table in
Freeman Hall and sign one of the cards.
Several groups of church members have visited Szabed and
met the people of the village (who are almost all members
of the Unitarian church), an experience described as
“incredible”, “eye opening”, and even “life changing”. The
Denominational Connections Team (DCT) can provide information on a visit if you are interested. The price is right
Page 4
In addition to fostering a relationship with our coreligionists in Romania, the Denominational Connections
Team (DCT) encourages active connections with our sister
congregations here in the Charlotte area: the Lake Norman
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and the Piedmont Unitarian Universalist Church (near UNCC). Our congregations
have collaborated around social justice efforts and children’s educational programs, and enjoyed each others company at social events. Below is such an event the DCT invites you to consider:
“The Piedmont UU Church would like to invite you to join
us for our annual Goods and Services Auction on November
8, 2014. The auction will accept pre-bidding online starting
on October 22. Here is a link to the online auction
http://goo.gl/wMo9i4. Check back often because new items
are added everyday! We hope you can join us for an evening of fun and bidding!!!”
Kat Sweaney,
Fundraising Chair - PUUC
PRINCIPLES & PURPOSES
We, the member congregations of the
Unitarian Universalist Association,
covenant to affirm and promote
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.
COMMUNITY BUILDING
‘Tis A Lovely Day for Jousting and Joking!
Open Mind Book Club
Monday, November 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the Conference Room
The Open Mind Book Club will
meet at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, November 3 in the Conference Room.
We will be discussing Knocking
on Heaven's Door: the path to a
better way of death by Katy Butler. Please RSVP to Gwynne Movius at (704) 366-9409 if you plan
to attend.
Young Adults to visit Renaissance Festival October 25
Our Young Adult Group (YAG) invites all who feel in need
of some jolly good fun to join them on Saturday, October
25 for an outing to the North Carolina Renaissance Festival.
This family-friendly Festival has entertainment of every
type along with a huge artisan market place. Tickets for
adults are $21, with discounts available at Harris Teeter
stores. The plan is to meet outside the castle entrance off to
the left between 10-10:30am. Please contact Corey Terral
([email protected]), YAG group leader, if you are
planning on going so the group can know who to look for
and have a general head count. Corey can also help coordinate carpooling from the Church parking lot. Let him know
if interested.
Outdoor Adventure Group’s November
Hikes
Saturdays, November 1 and 15
On Saturday, November 1, we will meet at 9:00 a.m. and
head to Eno River State Park approximately 2.5 hours from
Charlotte, and we will return back after 6:00 p.m., or you
have the option if
interested to stay
the night at Jim
Wilkins' brother's
home nearby.
Again, Ralph Hanson (704-877-1537)
will be leading this
outing, so let him
know if you would
like to spend the night, so that he has a headcount to share
with Jim's brother.
On Saturday, November 15 we will meet at 8:30 a.m.
(possible one later departure as well) and head to UUCC
member's Jarod Brown's mountain house in Jefferson, NC,
returning Sunday after 3:00 p.m.. Rita is leading this outing,
so please RSVP to her, again in order to plan meals & accommodations.
Note: For both overnights please bring a sleeping bag, a
dish to share and as always for hikes, please dress appropriately, and bring water, lunch and snacks. Happy Trails
For more information contact Rita Heath Singer at
[email protected].
On December 1 we will have our
holiday program when each participant brings a favorite poem to
share with the group.
First Friday Game Night and Potluck
Friday, November 7
Come one, come all for this FUN
Community Building event. We
will gather for a potluck meal in
Freeman Hall at 6:00 p.m. The
games FOR ALL AGES will begin
at 6:50 p.m. We hope you’ll join us
for this intergenerational event.
Men’s Group Openings
The Men's Group has been having weekly meetings for two
years, and we are looking to add a few more men to our
group. We discuss what is going on in our lives in a confidential setting and strive for personal improvement. We
meet on Monday nights 7:00 - 8:30 p.m in the Schweitzer
Room. If you are a church member and looking to develop
close friendships with other men, then contact Steve
Bivens, (704) 568-9696 or [email protected].
COORDINATING TEAM MINUTES
Each month the Coordinating Team creates a report for our
Board of Trustees. This report is comprised of vignettes
created by professional staff that reflect our progress toward
the achievement of our congregation’s Ends. A hard copy
of the entire report is posted on the office area bulletin
board. A full copy of this report for the month of October
is available by clicking here.
Page 5
ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
This I Believe/This I Practice = Credo: A
Spiritual Journey
This I Believe/ This I Practice will be transitioning to a new name—Credo: A Spiritual Journey. This change will reflect the
language of our mission statement, our
Sunday Services, as well as the Children
and Youth Religious Education’s Coming
of Age program where mentors and youth
alike develop their personal Credos. Parents will also be writing their own credos
as they participate in the Parents As Resident Theologians
course with Kathleen Carpenter this Fall The sessions for
Credo: A Spiritual Journey will continue with the same format—a member of the UUCC will present his/her spiritual
journey on the Fourth Sunday of the Month between 10:3011:00 in the Bernstein Room. Childcare provided.
 Please join Colleen Beale on October 26: The daugh-
ter of an ordained Baptist minister, Colleen Beale spent
her childhood growing up in the church. Colleen
watched her parents as they did mission work in Mexico, helped a colony of lepers off in distant lands, and
engaged her in civic duties here at home. Through
these experiences she developed a strong understanding
of OTHER, and as a global community, how we could
help each other. As an adult Colleen looked to find
something that would feed her civic duty as well as her
soul and thus began the next chapters of her spiritual
journey. Coming to the realization that no one religion
matched her spiritually, she set off to create a spiritual
practice that worked for her.
Parents As Resident Theologians (P.A.R.T.)
Begins Sunday, October 26 at 1:30 p.m.
Join Kathleen Carpenter
and Laura Truesdell for a
class designed to help
parents and other caregivers respond to children’s “wondering questions”. To assist with
this sometimes challenging task, participants will
be asked to consider their own beliefs and passions by writing their personal credos. The class will meet on Sundays,
1:30-3:00 p.m. for six weeks, beginning October 26. Plan to
attend as many as possible if you sign up, with a minimum
commitment of three. The more often you attend, the better
the experience for you. Childcare will be provided if requested a week prior to the next class. Questions about the
class can be directed to [email protected]. To sign
-up, visit the Adult Programming table in Freeman Hall or
email [email protected].
TED for the Soul (Evening Version)
Tuesday, November 4 at 7:00 p.m. in the Bernstein Room
What assumptions do you cling to? This evening's Ted Talk
speaker suggests we reconsider economic and social models
based on defensiveness, and instead trust. Join us in the
Bernstein Room on Tuesday November 4 at 7:00 p.m. to
watch the talk and discuss how we may apply this message
to our own lives. All are welcome.
“All Things Considered”
Wednesday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m. in the Schweitzer Room
 Our minister, Jay Leach, will share his thoughts on
the meaning of the term Credo on November 23.
 Jen Neitzel was pre-empted in September and has gra-
ciously agreed to present her spiritual journey on December 7: Born in a small town in rural Pennsylvania,
Jen attended a fairly liberal United Church of Christ
with her family. She spent most Sundays at church,
sang in the children’s choir, and spent summers at
church camp. For her, church was more of a community
rather than a spiritual place. Jen was always a questioner and stopped going to church in her early adolescence.
After many years of trying to figure things out, Jen
found her way to the Unitarian church. Here, she has
explored her spirituality and draws from many different
religious traditions and practices to provide clarity and
guidance in her daily life.
Please Join Us!
Page 6
The United States is often referred to as a nation built by
immigrants. But in recent years, the debate over the country's immigration laws has reached a boiling point. Some
argue that immigrants help the economy; others say they
take jobs away from Americans. As the U.S. continues to
recover from the Great Recession, is it time to make a distinction between low-skilled and highly skilled immigrants?
Our All Things Considered discussion on Wednesday, November 5 will follow the screening of a previous Intelligence Squared U.S. broadcast on NPR in which four experts
took on the topic, facing off two against two in an Oxfordstyle debate over the motion "Don't Give Us Your Tired,
Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses" — a twist on the phrase
from the famous verse inscribed on the Statue of Liberty.
Come view the broadcast and express your views on this
important and timely topic.
“Extra-Normal Experiences”
Exploring Humanism
Begins Wednesday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the Bernstein Room
Have you had “coincidences” in your life that seem to be
outside of “normal” experiences. Some of these can be
pleasantly amusing while others can be so profound that
they defy rational explanation and beg for expression in
spiritual or religious terms. Come join other UUCC members to share, hear, honor, examine and celebrate some of
these experiences. (This will be a one and one-half hour
group discussion that includes beginning chalice lighting, a
2013 "This American Life" segment on remarkable coincidences, outside references, guidelines for listening, sharing
of experiences, comments, feedback, honoring contributions, and short silent meditations). Richard Kushmaul will
lead discussion for UUCC members about our “Extra
Normal Experiences” on Three Wednesdays at 7:00-8:30,
November 5, December 3 and January 7, in the Bernstein
Room. You may sign up in Freeman Hall at the Adult Programming Table or by emailing [email protected].
Dr. Ralph Milligan, a retired Presbyterian
minister and recent convert to Humanism,
invites you to take a look at god is not
Great: How Religion Poisons Everything,
by Christopher Hitchens (d. 2011). Hitchens wrote or edited over thirty books and
was always fascinated with religion, and
participated in more than a few—but was a
fierce opponent of all brands. Dr. Milligan
wants to summarize his arguments, raise
some the questions about them, and discuss what his arguments, if accepted, should call on humanists to do.
Spiritual Book Dialogue: Let Your Life Speak
Begins Wednesday, November 5
Join other discerning seekers to consider
the searching question posed by Parker
Palmer in this little gem of a book, Let
Your Life Speak, about living authentically. Vocation does not come from willfulness, no matter how noble one’s intentions. It comes from listening to and accepting “true self” with its limits as well
as its potentials. Parker Palmer shows
that vocation is not a goal to be achieved but a gift to be
received. “As we live more deeply into the selfhood that is
our birthright gift, we find not only personal fulfillment. We find communion with others and ways of serving
the world’s deepest needs.”
Kathleen Moloney-Tarr will facilitate this dialogue group
on Wednesdays: November 5, 12, 19. Registration affirms
a commitment to secure a copy of the book and full attendance. Sign up at the Adult Programming table in Freeman
Hall or email [email protected] for either the day
(1:00-2:30 p.m.) or evening sessions (7:00-8:30 p.m.).
Second Sunday Topic Discussion
Sunday, November 9 at 10:30 a.m. in the Bernstein Room
This is an opportunity to meet with the Minister to share
your thoughts, ask questions, and hear others’ views relative to the sermon topic. Begins promptly at 10:30 a.m. in
the Bernstein Room. November’s Theme: Justice.
Third Friday Film Night
November 21st at 7:00 in the Sanctuary
Bob Gorman has chosen a film that will address our Second
Sunday Topic for November: Justice.
(Adults) Made in Dagenham (England,
2010) Starring Sally Hawkins and Bob
Hoskins. Directed by Nigel Cole. A dramatization of the 1968 strike at the Ford Dagenham car plant, where female workers
walked out in protest against sexual discrimination. Rated R for language and brief
sexuality. 113 minutes.
(Children) Hotel for Dogs (US, 2009) Starring Emma Roberts and Jake T. Austen. Two
foster children set up a shelter for stray dogs
in an abandoned hotel. Rated PG for brief
mild thematic elements, language and some
crude humor. 100 minutes. The children’s
film is shown at 7:00 p.m. in the Bernstein
Room.
DiscoverGroups: Ongoing
Have you been searching for a way to connect with members outside of Freeman Hall? Would you like an opportunity to pursue deeper spiritual questions, while reaching
out to one another in caring and support? DiscoverGroups,
consisting of 12 members, meet monthly for one year to
discuss the Second Sunday topic while getting to know each
other better. We will begin at least one new group in January as soon as we have twelve committed members. A signup form is available in Freeman Hall or you may email
[email protected].
Page 7
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN
AND YOUTH (CYRE)
Twenty two years. A lot can change in that time - to relationships and family, to physical abilities and appearances,
to personal growth and skills. My life has certainly gone
through a series of changes since 1992. But one thing that
has remained the same is my employment here. Last April,
I celebrated my 22nd year as your Director of Religious Education (for Children and Youth).
Amazingly (at least to me!), I still love the work I do here,
helping our children and their families “discover and articulate deeper spiritual meaning in their lives.” To me, it’s the
best job a person could stumble upon – which is how I entered the field. I was attending the church with my three
children, seeking an open-minded, loving community for
them and for me. When the RE Director abruptly left and
the part-time position opened up, I was encouraged to apply, something I might not have done on my own as my
professional background was in Urban Planning. But I
loved being an CYRE teacher, I loved this church, and I
wanted a part time job. I figured, why not?
Why not indeed. I was hired and my first instruction from
then-minister, Doug Reisner, was to take every training opportunity available, to get involved with the District’s RE
Committee, and, oh yes, to read a few dozen books. I did it
all and uncovered a passion for the field of religious education. I discovered that I loved creating ways to engage children in the critical exploration of religion and the big questions of life. I even found myself looking forward to youth
cons and trips that involved sleeping on church floors. It
was all so much fun and so personally rewarding – which
explains how I ended up sticking with it more than two
decades, working the last 20 years fulltime in service to our
families.
Unfortunately, most RE Directors at Unitarian Universalist
congregations don’t stick around. For some, it’s just a bad
fit. But I also hear horror stories from my colleagues of
conflict and injustice and disrespect. I am so grateful to
this congregation for its support of me and my ministry
here. Our congregation pays a fair wage and leadership supports the congregation’s children and youth. I am so very
fortunate.
I share all this back story to explain a recent decision. No,
I’m not resigning, but I am recognizing that one thing that
usually happens with a change in professional RE leadership (at least in large programs like ours) is a thorough assessment of the program. While a change in leadership has
its negatives, it provides these congregations with the unexpected opportunity to create a vision for the future of its
program.
Page 8
This is especially critical in this new century. The times
they are a changin’. With increasing busy families, technology evolving at a dizzying rate, and an increase in spiritual
yearnings, we in the business of religious education are realizing we need to be thinking both in- and outside the box if
we are to best meet the needs and demands of our families.
Earlier this year, I spoke with Jay about hiring an outside
consultant to do the kind of evaluation of our CYRE program that might occur with a change in professional leadership. We are very pleased to announce that we have arranged for two UUA staff persons to do this work. They are
scheduled to spend the weekend of November 13-15 with
us. This is where YOU come in. They have set aside time
to meet with congregational members on Friday evening
(7:00-9:00 p.m.) and Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. This is
an opportunity for parents, congregational leaders, and anyone else with an interest in the children and youth of our
church to voice their opinions. The observations, information, and recommendations to come out of this evaluation will be shared with CYRE leaders, church staff, and the
church’s Vision Steering Team.
Please mark your calendars for either Friday and/or Saturday, November 14 and 15. Childcare will be provided.
Don’t miss this opportunity to impact the future of our
CYRE program and our congregation.
In Faith and Gratitude,
Kathleen Carpenter, Director of RE for Children and Youth
Mark Your
Calendars
Saturday, October 24:
Lock-In for 4th-5th
graders 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 26:
Elementary Mountain
Conference (Con) Deadline
Sunday, November 2: Middle School Mountain
Conference (Con) Deadline
Sunday, November 9: Our Whole Lives Classes–Parent
Orientation at 1:30 p.m.
Friday, November 14: Parent Support Group (open to new
families) contact Melissa Vullo at [email protected]
Sunday, November 16: High School Conference (Con)
deadline
Friday, November 21: Friday Film Night at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 22: Craft Party for Care Baskets
followed by a Blessing of the Crafts Service followed by a
Potluck Dinner, time-TBA.
Sunday, November 23: Family Dedications in both
services
Mountain Con Registration Deadlines
Coming Up Soon!
Parents are reminded that the deadlines for this fall’s Mountain CON(ference)s are coming up soon! (Con dates and
deadlines are listed under “Mark Your Calendar” on page
8.) Parents should complete the registration on-line
(http://goo.gl/2oOmHk) and then deliver an envelope with
the UUCC transportation fee of $30 to the CYRE Office.
A Mountain Con is a
Friday-Sunday UU
youth retreat held at the
Mountain Retreat &
Learning Center in
Highlands, NC. We
strongly support these
cons and encourage our
children and youth here
at the UUCC to attend. We require all children and parents
to attend an orientation as a prerequisite to con attendance. If you (or your child) could not attend either of the
two orientations provided here earlier this month, your
child(ren) can still attend a 2014-15 con if you (and your
child) can arrange to meet with Children and Youth RE Director, Kathleen Carpenter, prior to their con date(s). It is
up to you to arrange the meeting with her. Plan on 30
minutes.
Family Dedications Planned
for November 23
Our next Family Dedication Ceremonies are scheduled for
Sunday, November 23 during both services that morning.
For those of you new to our congregation, our Family Dedications may appear different from the christenings/
baptisms/child dedications found in other congregations.
Because we believe so strongly that one must choose one’s
own spiritual path, we don’t offer a way for parents to make
these kinds of choices for their children. Instead we offer
them a way to enter into a “covenant” with the congregation in which each makes promises around the challenging
task of parenting. As a portion of this ritual, we also bless
each child.
While the children in the ritual are typically under a year in
age, we welcome older children who might have missed
this opportunity earlier. Often the ritual is even more
meaningful for these children because they "get" that they
are being honored and included in the larger community of
the congregation.
If you are a member of this congregation and have a new
baby (or an older child who has not participated in a previous Ceremony) and you would like for your family to be a
part of our Family Dedication, contact Kathleen Carpenter
([email protected]) or Jay Leach
([email protected]). Please sign up by November 10.
UU Kids Living Out Their Values
Let us hear about YOUR kids!
Has your child demonstrated his or her commitment to our
values through personal achievement/leadership? If so,
send a few lines to [email protected].
OPEN DOOR SCHOOL
Open Door School Food Drive
A Great Success
The Open Door School Parent Council is happy to report that our recent
food drive was a great success! Our
students and faculty were able to
collect 15 large boxes of food which
were donated in partnership with the
UUCC to local families in need. Students were able to decorate the boxes
which held the donations and assisted in
transporting the food to the donation site
which created a wonderful opportunity to discuss
the purpose of the collection and the amazing opportunity to
support our neighbors in need.
Help Support Our Open Door School
Link Your Harris Teeter Vic Card to ODS
You can help support the Open Door
School if you shop at Harris Teeter!
The next time you are in the store or
shopping online, please consider linking your VIC card to the school. The
number for the school is 2752 (but they will look it up for
you at the Customer Service desk, if you happen to forget).
Please be aware, if you have linked your VIC card in the
past, you must re-link it every year in the fall. This is a
painless way to provide monetary support to the school.
THANK YOU for your help!
Page 9
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Habitat for Humanity Work Date
Saturday, November 8
Our next volunteer date is Saturday, November 8 from 8:00
a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for ages 16+. Our volunteers will work on
a “punch list” of final items on a new home to get it movein ready. No experience or tools are necessary and all skill
levels are welcome. To register for the volunteer day, go to
http://goo.gl/EhIzWX where there is a clickable “Select”
box toward the bottom of the page. If you have any problems, contact Habitat’s Volunteer Coordinator, Jeannie
Pierce at [email protected]. The UUCC coordinator for this event is Mary Burnett,
[email protected].
MEMBERSHIP
The Unitarian Universalist Church of
Charlotte Welcomes the Following
New Members
Lincoln Baxter, III
Lowell Fleming
Ronald “Ron” Spake
Herman “Morris” and Carol Teeter
Book Drive Continues
Please don’t forget to continue to bring in your donations
for the book drive. Please keep in
mind that not only are books acceptable donations, but DVDs, VHS tapes,
and CDs are as well. The bin for donations can be found in Freeman Hall
just inside the doors to the left. If
you would like to sign up to transport
the books for any week, contact
Grace Clements
[email protected].
THANKS for you CANS and your TIME!
In October Open Door school filled our food barrels to
overflowing,
providing nutritious food
for the 29
families (95
individuals)
that come once a month to our church food bank. Also,
several volunteers helped sort food at Second Harvest Food
Bank to help defray the service fees we pay for products
obtained there.
In October Mary Burnett, Pat Parks, Ann McDaniel, Eileen and Ed Hanson-Kelly gave several hours of their
time. We receive a credit of $4 for each hour worked. For
information on how you can help with this effort, contact
Eileen at [email protected] or 704-855-8353. Remember to bring canned goods to fill our food barrels every
month. THANKS!
Page 10
“Discovering the UUCC”
Saturday, November 8 at 9:00 a.m.
If you are a new or prospective member interested in learning more about Unitarian Universalism, the UUCC, and
membership responsibilities,
please join us for Discovering
the UUCC on Saturday, November 8. Facilitated by Rev.
Jay Leach, this session begins
at 9:00 a.m. with a light breakfast and registration. The program follows from 9:30 to
12:30 p.m., covering our philosophy, history, programs,
and organization. Along with
several other participants, you
will learn about our diverse religious heritage and what
common beliefs Unitarian Universalists share. Childcare is
provided.
To register, please sign up on Sunday morning at the Visitor’s Table in Freeman Hall or contact Kristie Lauderbaugh
at [email protected]. If you need childcare, please
indicate the number of children and ages.
VISITOR’S CORNER
(“Our In-The-Moment Relevance) continued from page 1)
“Getting to Know Us”
committed to hire a second minister and a Membership Coordinator. We hope to have the Membership Coordinator
position filled before Thanksgiving and are beginning the
search process for our second minister.
Sunday, November 2
Every 1st Sunday after each service, visitors are invited to
an informal Q&A with a long-standing UU Church of
Charlotte member. Grab a cup of coffee from Freeman
Hall and meet downstairs in the Bernstein Room immediately following either 1st or 2nd service. Hear about another
person’s journey to finding her/his spiritual home here at
the UUCC.
“Meet the Minister”
Sunday, November 16
You’ve seen him behind the pulpit…now here’s an opportunity for visitors to get to know Jay Leach on a more personal level. Stop by the Conference Room for an informal
chat on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 10:30 a.m.
Audio Copies of Past Sunday Services
Available at Visitor Table
Stop by our bookstore in Freeman Hall after Sunday services to request a copy or contact Bill Cooke at (704) 3642107 (cost $5). Visitors can also check out audio copies of
past services at the visitors table on Sunday after services.
As we add staff, we are also continuing to fund and expand
our programming to meet the needs of our growing congregation. Funding our growth is a challenge that has been entrusted to your Stewardship Team. As the team moves to
stimulate a year-round conversation about stewardship, we
will keep you apprised on what important and meaningful
investments are being made with your contributions. We
will also let you know what future opportunities will require
your financial support.
On behalf of the Stewardship Team, we are humbled and
grateful for the level of financial support our church has
received from our congregation. We believe that as we look
to the future, and the anticipated increased financial expenditures needed to continue to make UUCC a beacon of liberal
thought and action in our community and state, we can
count on our members to understand the need for even
greater levels of generosity.
It’s an exciting time to be a member of UUCC. As Henry
David Thoreau said, “If you have built castles in the air,
your work need not be lost; that is where they should be.
Now put the foundations under them.”
ONGOING GROUP MEETINGS
Newcomers and drop-ins are welcome! For more information about
these groups please visit www.uuccharlotte.org and select “Programs/
Get Involved.”
Jim Lay
Stewardship Team
Meeting
Location/
Room
Time
Contact
All Things Considered
Bernstein
Ron Maccaroni [email protected]
Exploring Humanism
Healing Threads: A Prayer
Shawl Ministry
Holding Circle
Bernstein
Home of Joy
Bruce
Bernstein
7:00 p.m. 1st Wednesday
(November 5 )
7:00 p.m. 1st Thursday (November 6)
7:00 p.m. 2nd Monday (November 10)
Jabberwocks
Steve Bivens [email protected]
Kathleen Moloney-Tarr (704) 661-5409
Camilla Mazzotta [email protected]
Conference
12:45 p.m. 3rd Sunday
(November 16)
10:00 a.m. 3rd Friday (November 20)
Lotus Path
Schweitzer
8:00 a.m. Sundays
Mystics and Metaphysics
Sunday Morning Meditation
Sigismund
Schweitzer
7:00 p.m. 3rd Tuesday (November 18)
8:30 a.m. Sundays
Richard Kushmaul
[email protected]
Carol Smith [email protected]
Debbie George (704) 763-2193
Straight Spouse Support Group
“T.E.D for the Soul” (Day)
Offsite
Bernstein
“T.E.D for the Soul” (Evening)
Bernstein
7:00 p.m. 1st Tuesday (November 4)
12:00 p.m. 3rd Monday
(November 17)
7:00 p.m. 1st Tuesday (November 4)
Women’s Circle
Schweitzer
7:00 p.m. 2nd Tuesday (November 11)
Young Adult Group (YAG)
Schweitzer
12:45 p.m. 3rd Sunday
(November 16)
Doris Thomas Browder
Sage Brook (704) 366-7983
Melissa Mummert
[email protected]
Susan Cox [email protected]
Trish Hevey [email protected]
Maggie Walker (941) 441-7076
Please RSVP to Maggie to attend.
Lincoln Baxter III
Page 11
[email protected]
Periodical
Non-Profit Organization
Postage Paid
Charlotte, NC
Volume 39, Issue 20
USPS 346-850
Published biweekly by the
Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte
234 N Sharon Amity Rd
Charlotte NC 28211-3004
Postmaster: Please send address corrections to above.
The deadline for the next
is:
Sunday, November 2, 2014 for the next issue which will
be published on Wednesday, November 5, 2014. Please
include your name and phone number on your submissions
in case there are questions. The Voices editor reserves the
right to edit all submissions to the newsletter for brevity,
grammar, clarity and consistency as space will allow. The
preferred submission is by email to: [email protected]
Address Label
Church Office hours:
Monday – Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Phone: (704) 366-8623 / Fax: (704) 366-8812
E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.uuccharlotte.org
Staff Member
Professional Responsibilities
Kathleen Carpenter
Director of Religious Education
for Children & Youth
[email protected] ext. 225
Children and Youth Religious Education
Denominational Connections
Donna Fisher
Children’s Choir Director
[email protected]
John Herrick
Director of Music
[email protected] ext. 230
Alesia Hutto
Office Administrator
[email protected] ext. 221
Martha Kniseley
Adult Programming Coordinator
[email protected] ext. 229
Kristie Lauderbaugh
Coordinator of New Member Development
[email protected]
Page 12
Children’s Choir
Music
Worship Team
Administrative Support
Communications
Adult Religious Education and Spiritual Development
Community Building
Congregational Care
New Members
Visitors
Jay Leach
Senior Minister
[email protected] ext. 223
Chief of Staff
Coordinating Team
Social Justice Team
Worship Team
Belinda Parry
Administrative Assistant
[email protected] ext. 224
Part Time Administrative/CYRE Support
Doug Swaim
Interim Director of Administration
[email protected] ext. 222
Building & Grounds
Coordinating Team
Memorial Endowment Trust
Stewardship
Communications
Finance
Open Door School