MUUFLETTER for November 2014
Newsletter from Midcoast Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
SUNDAY SERVICES SCHEDULE
Always at 10:30 a.m.
Porter Meeting Hall, Skidompha Library
Nov. 2 - A celebration of the Day of the Dead as
Fellowship member Mimi Moore reflects on the joys
and sorrows in her life.
Nov. 9 - Rev. Erika Hewitt : Erika dives into a
topic that you’ll find apt and compelling. Following
this service, all are welcome to join Erika for a sermon discussion.
Nov. 16 - “The Growth of Generosity -Maryli
Tiemann, guest speaker. As children, we have a
sense of “Mine!” and we learn to share by the examples and prodding of those around us. Then this
basic generosity transforms – usually without much
reflection. What’s our present connection with our
deepest sense of generosity?
Bio: As a preschooler, Maryli Tiemann lived in her
family’s 8 room hotel where change, different cultures and people sharing a common bathroom were
just daily life. Maryli is a member of the UU Church
in Brunswick, writes reviews for the Heartwood
Theater, and has invited friends who just moved to
Bristol to come to this service.
Nov. 23 - Rev. Erika Hewitt : In this service of
celebration, we’ll formally welcome the Fellowship’s
newest members (among other things). Stay for our
congregation’s Annual Meeting, which will include
the election of new leaders.
Nov. 30 - “Simple Gifts” - What wisdom has been
important on your life journey? Would you be willing
to share it with your Fellowship? In this circle worship, you’ll be invited to bring and share a poem,
reading, quote, work of art, or other inspirational
piece that’s guided you.
Dec. 7 - Rev. Leela Sinha, guest minister.
A New Sermon “Seminar”
Are you interested in joining a small group sermon-writing group this winter? Rev. Erika will lead
this 8-session program beginning in December.
Please let Erika know if you’re interested, or would
like to know more about it: 650-5757.
Our Minister’s Message
Here’s an old story about a Maine farmer and his
axe: The farmer says to his grandson, “This axe I’m
using to cut wood for the winter? It’s
the same ax your great, great-grandpa
used.”
His grandson asks, “That axe must
be at least 90 years old. How can it still
be useful?” “A-yup,” the farmer allows.
“Over the years, the handle’s been
replaced twice, and its head was replaced at least
once. But it’s still the same axe.”
When both parts of an axe have been replaced
numerous times, is it still “the same axe”?
However you answer this brainteaser, this is what
I believe about congregations: newcomers arrive;
children grow into adults and move out into the
world; the very elderly pass into the Great Beyond…
but as its members shift and ebb, it’s still the same
congregation.
As I write this, one of our oldest, longtime members is nearing the end of her life. This morning
(thanks to Sue Carlson) four of your Fellowship
members and I stood around her bed, singing hymns
and wiping away a few tears. This is your ministry at
its sweetest and finest: honoring bonds between old
friends, and marking the threshold between this life
and… whatever’s next.
Our own Fellowship will, over time, continue to
suffer the loss of beloved faces — even as we’re enriched and gladdened by the new faces who quickly
become familiar, and part of the larger Us.
This month, our Fellowship is engaged in two
“business” activities: gathering pledges of financial
support for the 2015 fiscal year, and holding an annual meeting to elect new leaders.
Make no mistake: underneath the business at
hand, what we’re really doing is placing our congregation into new, sturdy hands; cementing our identity and our future; and carrying forward the congregation that created itself over thirty years ago.
Are we the same people? Not entirely. Are you the
same congregation? Absolutely.
In faith,
Rev. Erika
The President’s Corner
Hospitality Schedule
Refreshments/Greeters
Greetings!
As we move into this transition time between
autumn and winter, we here at MUUF also begin
preparations for our own annual
transition; on November 23 we hold
our Annual Meeting, the time when
the congregation as a whole takes a
role in guiding the Fellowship. The
Annual Meeting is important for you,
as members of the Fellowship, to hear
what the Board, Minister, and various
committees have achieved over the past year, and
learn some of the goals for the coming year. We
will review the Fellowship’s financial status and vote
on the operating budget for the next calendar year.
There are some additional business tasks, including
voting in the new slate of Board officers and trustees
to lead the Fellowship, and choosing the beneficiaries of our monthly Share the Plate collection for
2015.
The Annual Meeting is a time for every single
member to be a leader by participating in our own
democratic process. Just as we are strongly encouraged to vote in general elections on November 4, I
strongly urge you to be present and make your voice
part of the process at the Annual Meeting. This is the
time to be informed, ask questions, provide input,
and help shape the future of the Fellowship.
Let me also remind you to send in your pledge
for 2015 as soon as possible so that our Treasurer,
Robert Lightfoot, can include those pledges in the
budget to be proposed at the Annual Meeting. Your
pledges are key to the Fellowship’s financial health,
helping us move forward and achieving the goals we
have set. And speaking of Bob Lightfoot, I’d like to
take a moment here to praise him for his extremely
valuable and competent work as Treasurer over the
past two years. As a member of the Board, Bob not
only provided financial expertise but also leadership
skills in other Board matters. We are so fortunate to
have him, and I am extremely grateful for his service
to MUUF.
So as we move on toward the Big Holiday Season,
I look forward to gathering together with you at the
Annual Meeting, and to the many special Sunday
morning services in the coming month.
Nov. 2 - Kate Pennington (Green Pod)
Nov. 9 - Ann Foskett (Blue Pod)
Nov. 16 - Nancy Holmes (Red Pod)
Nov. 23 - Jennifer Ober (Purple Pod)
Nov. 30 - Sandra Barth (Indigo Pod)
Dec. 7 - Kate Pennington (Green Pod)
End of Life Planning Forms
In April, Rev. Erika distributed around 45 yellow
end-of-life and emergency contact information packets (which she keeps in a secure, off-site, confidential location). Erika has received only six completed
packets, but feels it’s important to have at least the
front sheet (emergency contact information) for all
Fellowship members. Please contact her (Erika@
UUminister.com) if you’d like a new one, and please
take some time to work on your packet in the coming weeks.
Meetings with the Minister:
Articulating Our UU Beliefs & Questions
Rev. Erika invites you to join her on two Thursdays
in November (3:30 to 5:00 p.m.) for the second
half of this program about UU identity. Each meeting centers around activities in the wonderful UUA
curriculum “Articulating Your UU Faith” by the Revs.
Barbara Wells and Jaco ten Hove: What does it mean
to you to be a Unitarian Universalist? Sometimes we
feel reluctant to talk about our beliefs, or uncertain
how to do so. How do you feel when you describe
UU’ism to others? What does it mean to articulate
your Unitarian Universalist beliefs?
Join Erika in the upstairs Carpenter Room of Skidompha Library from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. for EITHER
or BOTH of the final two sessions:
Thurs., Nov. 6th: Need a refresher on history? We’ll
take a quick look back at our Unitarian and Universalist histories, and provide practical experience for
effectively answering questions about our faith.
Thurs., Nov. 20th: To wrap up our 4-part program,
we engage in fun collaboration, discussion, and practice of individual “elevator speeches.”
Are you new to Unitarian Universalism? This is for
you. Have you been a UU for years and years? This
is for you, too! All are welcome; we learn the most
when we learn to-gether. Feel free to call Erika with
questions: 650-5757.
In faith,
John
2
PLEDGES can be given to our treasurer, put
in the offering basket or mailed to PO Box 1021,
Damariscotta 04543 - by Nov. 11 if possible
UPDATING MUUF DIRECTORY FOR 2015
If you’ve had a change in your mailing address,
phone number(s), or e-mail address, please contact
Jean Howe (soon!) with your new information: call
633-7380 or email her at: [email protected]
If you’d like a hard copy of our monthly newsletter,
please also let me know.
Jean Howe
FOOD PANTRY SUNDAY - NOV. 16
Our monthly food collection is on the third Sunday
of each month. Non-perishables such as hot or cold
cereals, hot cocoa, coffee, tea, canned fruit and veggies, nut butters, canned meat: ham, chicken, and
fish: tuna, salmon, et al are all needed.
Household items such as Kleenex, paper towel,
bath tissue, laundry detergent, bar soap, are also
much needed. Your donations are taken by various
Fellowship angels – members/friends - to your Ecumenical Food Pantry, which is open on Tuesday mornings at the Second regational Church in Newcastle.
Gather The Spirits was the Halloween theme for our
service on Oct. 26. Worship associate John Adams (King
Namr That Tune) assisted Rev. Erika. The “trick or treat”
bag contained a rolled golden sheet of paper - your pledge
form”
More photos on the next page.
THOUGHTS ON PLEDGING:
CHARITABLE GIVING, MAINE AT
THE BOTTOM?
WE ARE AN HONOR CONGREGATION
This week the UUA released its thanks to the 641
UU congregations who are “honor congregations” —
those who practice stewardship towards the UUA’s
Annual Program Fund (another way of saying that
MUUF pays dues for each congregational member).
Only a handful of congregations in Maine have a
history of support that matches ours: we’ve been an
Honor Congregation for over ten years! Congratulations to all, and to our present and past leaders, for
choosing to be a full participant in our Association.
Recent news articles have reported on an analysis
of IRS date by the Chronicle of Philanthropy with a
headline “Rich giving less, study concludes” and a
highlighted box pointing out neighboring New Hampshire was at the bottom of the list, with taxpayers
showing $17.40 in deductions per $1000 of earnings.
Maine and Vermont were the next lowest. All this is
based on returns that include charitable deductions. If
you just take the standard deduction then you are not
part of this survey.
It was suggested that the low rankings for northern New England stemmed in part from low rates of
church attendance, and from residents “independent
streak” and a tradition of self reliance.
A follow-up in a national news magazine stated that
if church donations were removed from the study it
would show New Englanders as quite generous in
their support of charities - which includes all nonprofits.
As we approach our Annual Meeting - and budget
vote - we need to think about directing our charitable
donations where they do the most good. A $5 or $10
check to a national cancer, diabetes, heart or other
association, or any organization that sends out multiple mailings, some with ‘free’ address labels, etc.
does NOT HELP THEIR CAUSE. These small donations
basically pay for the multiple mailings and the ‘free-
SAD NEWS - A MUUF FRIEND HAS DIED
We’re sad to share the news that the Rev. Bill DeWolfe, a retired UU minister, died on Wed., Oct. 29th
following a heart attack. Bill and his wife, Barbara,
celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in September. At this time we do not know of plans for remembrance services.
When the DeWolfes lived in Damariscotta, they
came to some of our services in Edgecomb, and Bill
was often a guest minister for us. At that time they
were members of the Rockland church. Bill was active
in the retired UU ministers association for many years.
After moving to a retirement community in Hallowell they were active in both the Augusta UU Church
and the Augusta Senior College.
The DeWolfes drove in some light snow last year
to attend our Aids Day service when we sang all the
verses of a hymn written by their son.
continued on page 5
3
More photos by Sandy Barth from “Gather the Spirits” - our October 26 service
Below:
King Name that Tune passing the “trick
or treat” bag, something to take while
placing your ‘gift’ in the offering basket
4
The volunteers readers who gathered the spirits of
Michael Servetus, King John Sigismund, Hosea Ballou,
Olympia Brown, Ralph Waldo Emerson and James Reeb
4
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN GOING
TO LUNCH AFTER SUN. SERVICES?
Thoughts on Pledging... from page 3
bies’ they send you!
Mainers may not be big on donations to churches, but we can push that trend upward by our
monetary support of this Fellowship. MUUF has
existed for more than 30 years thanks to our loyal
members and friends. Unlike most churches, we do
not have a large endowment (usually provided by
estate donations) that can balance a budget when
we do not receive enough income from pledges
and cash donations. (On the bright side, we also
don’t have a building that needs a new roof or
furnace, etc.)
It would be wonderful if more of us would consider an endowment gift in our wills to ensure that
the Fellowship is here long after we are gone. But
we also need to consider the NOW, the pledge we
will make to ensure we can retain our half-time
minster and grow this congregation without reducing our savings to zero. Perhaps we can consider
giving up something we don’t need to sustain
life and include the extra $10 (or even $5) in our
weekly contribution.
Please note that if you have assets such as
stocks or mutual funds, and don’t need those
dividends for your living expenses, they can be
used to make a pledge, and if you qualify, get a tax
deduction for the present value, often an increase
from the initial cost. The same can be done with
part or all of a Required Minimum Distribution from
an IRA. Speak to our treasurer about direct electronic transfers to our Vanguard account.
It has been suggested that some of us may prefer
to meet for lunch - or your Sunday dinner - with other
MUUFers at a local eatery after our worship service.
Some of us tried it one Sunday last month, and
found that if we limit each table to 4 or 6 we can
have meaningful conversation. The talk can be about
that day’s sermon, other items in the life of our Fellowship, or about our own lives, including triumphs
and problems.
It can be an occassional Sunday, or most Sundays,
whichever works best for you. It can be a special
time, especially for those who live alone and after
time with friendly folks at our social hour don’t want
to go straight home to an empty house or apartment
with nothing pressing to do on a Sunday afternoon.
If you are interested, speak to Joanne Campbell,
and perhaps we will have a Sunday “Lunch Bunch.”
BED & BREAKFAST FOR OTHER UU’S?
Rev. Erika recently asked if someone would be will
to host a fellow UU coming to a Hog Island Audubon
event next Fall - has someone responded?
This request gave some of us an idea, that we
could open our homes to other UU’s visiting Maine,
charge a nominal fee for bed & breakfast, and make
a donation to our Fellowship. If you check the classified ads in the UU World magazine you will find others
that do this.
A suggested fee might be $75 per night, with the
host forwarding $50 (or more!) to MUUF. Once we
have a list of those who would participate, we could
post the info on our website, and buy an ad in the
magazine, with special emphasis on experiencing
summer on the coast of Maine, attending the Oyster
Festival and Pumpkinfest in the fall. Places to stay in
or near Damariscotta are especially needed for those
festivals.
Speak to John Adams or David Bailey if you might
be interested in participating!
Yours in Fellowship,
Our Next Time to Serve the
Community Supper is December 31
Join Sue van Alsenoy for an early start to New Years’
Eve, and enjoy the camarderie with your fellow members. We had ten of us there for October, some in Halloween garb. It was a fulfilling experience and many hands
made the time fly by, all done and closed up at 6 p.m.!
Thanks also to those woh brought or sent food, there was
enough for second helpings and for all the workers.
OFFICIAL NOTICE
ANNUAL MEETING FOR
MUFF IS NOVEMBER 23
Voting for Officers & Trustees
and for the 2015 budget
5