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November 2003
A welcoming congregation that seeks to be a spiritual home to people of
free faith regardless of race, sexual orientation, class, or any of the
other differences that might separate us
SUNDAY MORNING PROGRAM SCHEDULE
ALL ARE WELCOME
Sunday School: 9:30 - 10:30 AM OUUF Forum: 9:30 - 10:30 AM
Social Gathering 10:30 - 11:00 AM
Worship Service: 11:00 AM Child care: 10:45 - Noon
Care for the very youngest children available during services and forums
OBERLIN AREA COOPERATING MINISTRIES
THANKSGIVING SERVICE
OACM's Thanksgiving service will be held on Sunday, November 23 at 7:30, at
Rust United Methodist Church. The Rev. Steve Hammond will be speaking. Come
join with other area congregations as we prepare for Thanksgiving.
FROM THE MINISTER...
Each fall I reread David Robinson's The Unitarians and the Universalists,
just to stay in touch with our roots. While there are other works that
might offer more depth and/or breadth, Robinson's book offers an excellent
account of the two traditions in their American context. (It's not exactly
a one-sitting read, but neither is it so detailed as to bore one to the
point of unconditional surrender.)
I reread that book because I believe our history is critical to a mature
understanding of UUism. Without that history, we're like the characters in
the Hindu story in which everyone is blindfolded, allowed to touch but one
small part of an elephant, then asked to tell what it is they're touching.
Their responses are laughable and in no way reflect an accurate understand-
ing of an elephant. The moral? The story we tell is the story we know. No
more, no less.
Later this month I'll be participating in my second Thanksgiving service
with the clergy and lay folk of the Oberlin Area Cooperating Ministries
(OACM). Based on previous experiences with the group, I expect it to be an
uplifting time of interfaith celebration - this, despite the fact that
members of our various traditions once detested, anathematized, imprisoned,
persecuted or killed one another. In spite (because?) of our various
histories, the spiritual heirs of the popes will worship with those of
Calvin, Wesley, Channing and a host of others once deemed heretics. The
point? The story we live is the story we imagine. No more, no less.
As the holidays approach, perhaps you might gift yourself with a book on UU
history. (Just call the UUA Bookstore (800-215-9076) or log onto uua.org.)
When you've finished, consider donating it to the congregation's library,
with the subversive motive that others may read it, too. We've quite a
story to tell. And live.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Don
SOCIAL JUSTICE POTLUCK
Join your fellow OUUFers for a Social Justice Potluck on Friday, November
14, at 6pm at the Early Childhood Center (location provisional). Bring
something to share of a potluck nature, and bring your ideas as to which
two of the six recommended topics OUUF should address in 2004. NOTE: If it
becomes necessary to pick a different location, the word will go out by
Internet and at Sunday announcements. All are welcome.
OHIO-MEADVILLE DISTRICT SOCIAL JUSTICE ACTION COMMITTEE
now has information on the District web site:
http://www.omd.uua.org/social_justice/sja_committee.html
DON'S SCHEDULE
Our minister, Don Rollins, is
available for emergencies at any
time. Monday is his day off, and
Friday is usually reserved for
writing sermons. Feel free to contact
him by phone (366-1027) or e-mail
at your
convenience.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Refreshments on Sunday morning are
supplied by members and friends of
the congregation.
We invite you to please participate.
FROM THE CARING TEAM
If you have not signed up on the birthday list which will be at church
through November 2, please call Darlene Krato. Come the first of the year
we would like to acknowledge those special dates in the chalice or service
program and then have a Fellowship birthday party which should be fun! If
you know of some one who is ill or just needs some positive thoughts from
the congregation, again contact Darlene Krato.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
This past month, various groups of children and youth have:
- Experienced how diversity and cooperation make a very tasty fruit salad,
- Visited their sacred spot outdoors and listened to the sounds of the
trees through a stethoscope,
- Constructed a time machine complete with a motherboard and flashing
lights (you gotta see it!),
- Delved into the psychologically manipulative world of advertising,
- And have written lyrics and sung the Blues!
The vital minds we encounter in our children seem to spark some spirit
within us enabling us to give, think and teach more creatively. Our Oberlin
UU community is a unique treasure not meant to be kept to ourselves but to
be shared with our non Sunday morning friends. Spread the word, share the
wealth.
Plans for the December holiday pageant are underway and they include you!
We will be assembling a truly multi-aged cast composed of singers,
musicians, back stage organizers, actors and other unique skills you bring.
Please contact either Kim Peters (776-0132) or Andy Frantz (774-2374), or
you will be hearing from us! It is the beginning of "Season's Greetings!"
Namaste,
Kim Peters, DRE
HELP NEEDED FOR SITE TEAM
The Site Team has been created to relieve the board of set-up/take-down
chores. Now this team needs your help. We need team captains to be first
in, last out; and team members to unload/load the storage shed, and for
cleanup. This is NOT an every week commitment. Please contact Peg Tucker,
775-0301; or Katie Styer , 775-0959.
CALIFORNIA BURNING:
IN WAKE OF DISASTROUS FIRES,
UUs IN PACIFIC SOUTHWEST DISTRICT LAUNCH AID FUND
(Boston, MA - Oct. 27, 4:00 PM EST) As fires rage throughout the
San Diego, San Bernardino and Los Angeles areas, the Pacific
Southwest District Office of the Unitarian Universalist Association
(PSWD) has launched a fire relief fund. The fund, to be administer-
ed through the PSW District, will provide aid to affected congrega-
tions, their members and communities.
UU congregations in a number of fire-affected communities are
involved, including Poway, San Diego, La Mesa, Montclair,
Riverside, Santa Paula, and Thousand Oaks.
In addition, the deBenneville Pines Camp and Conference Center
operated by the District, has been evacuated.
Margo McKenna, minister of the Chalice UU Congregation in Poway,
indicated that "two members had lost homes, and possibly another
four." In addition, McKenna said that "approximately twenty-five
families have been evacuated from the Scripps Ranch, Ramona,
Escondido, and Poway areas of San Diego."
If you wish to contribute to the Pacific Southwest District Fire
Relief Fund, please make checks out to:
PSWD Fire Relief Fund
Mail your checks to:
PSWD Office
12355 Moorpark St,
Studio City, CA 91604
Information on the UUA site will be updated as fresh
news warrants.
Deborah J. Weiner
Director of Electronic Communication
Unitarian Universalist Association
25 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108
617-948-6104
EDITOR'S NOTE: Besides the catastrophic losses to the UUs directly affected
in Southern California, the deBenneville Pines Camp and Conference Center
is one of the true national jewels of the UUA, on a par with Star Island
and Rowe Camp. Damage to or loss of it would be a sad day for all UUs
everywhere. dB
LENDING AN EAR
Starting with November 2, on every Sunday when Don is present, some members
of the board will be available for 10-15 minutes after the service to
listen to members/friends thoughts and concerns.
COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY
The Committee on Ministry met twice in the month of October. Plans are
afoot for an appraisal of our congregation's ministry to each other. How do
we, together and individually, support the mission and covenant of our
fellowship? We will be distributing surveys to all members and friends in
early December, and make a full report of our appraisal in early February.
If there are any issues or areas you feel are particularly important to
assess, please feel free to share your ideas with Cindy Frantz, John
Marshall, or Keith Koening.
MISSION
The Oberlin Unitarian Universalist Fellowship mission is to promote
religious freedom with responsibility, to support each other with
compassion, and to serve peace with justice.
COVENANT
We the members and friends of the Oberlin Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
covenant to live together in our quest for truth, love, social justice, and
environmental responsibility. In this spirit of caring fellowship, we offer
our combined gifts and resources.
WE ARE THE BODY OF THE CHURCH
Members or friends of OUUF who harbor a topic for a sermon or forum: OUUF
needs your creative participation! Hymns, readings, music, etc. can be
furnished by the Program Committee.
BOARD NOTES
Treasurer Virginia Erdy reported that while some of our expenses are up our
pledge amounts have also increased. Virginia also reported that our current
State Farm Insurance does cover liability for Don's counseling.
A letter of agreement between DRE Kim Peters and OUUF has been signed.
Ed Vermue, along with the Committee on Ministry, is working on a job
description for the Chairperson of the Program Committee.
Plans are being made to produce a new directory of members and friends.
Ed Vermue and Barbara Fuchsman will be OUUF's representatives to LERM (Lake
Erie Regional Ministry, the congregations Don serves).
Next board meeting: Nov 19, 7:00, Peters/Vermue home. Visitors are
welcome, and the right of OUUF members to participate in Board discussions
is guaranteed in the Bylaws.
Katie Styer
Board Secretary
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Sunday, November 2, 2003
JOHNNY CASH FOR PRESIDENT: 2004
morning service -- 11:00 am
Reverend Don Rollins
Part memorial, part plea for grounded leadership, this is a service about
wounded healers as leaders. All are welcome.
All are welcome.
WIT AND WISDOM
fellowship forum -- 9:30 am
Reverend Don Rollins
We all have bits of humor or truth to help us cope. Bring and share wise
songs, poems, stories, quips and quotes. All are welcome.
Sunday, November 9, 2003
WHEN DO WE BECOME GUILTY BYSTANDERS?
morning service -- 11:00 am
Mathis Szykowski, Service Leader
Recent books have re-opened consideration of the role of the Papacy during
the Nazi regime. Mathis, a Holocaust survivor, will share reflections on
personal responsibility in the face of evil. Mathis remained alive through
his own initiative and those who gave him shelter at risk to themselves.
Timed to coincide with the Library exhibit on the Holocaust. All are
welcome.
SOCIAL JUSTICE: THE COMING YEAR
fellowship forum -- 9:30 am
OUUF Social Justice Team, Forum Leaders
As promised, the Social Justice Team has selected three issues where our
congregation can make a difference locally, and three global or national
issues where OUUF can join efforts of others in hope of a significant
impact. Presentation only; the final selection will be at the Social
Justice Potluck.
All are welcome.
Sunday, November 16, 2003
EDUCATION USING COMBINED
GIFTS AND RESOURCES
morning service -- 11:00 am
Virginia Erdy, Service Leader
Our Fellowship is filled with educated people, many of whom are involved in
education in some manner. Since the topic for this morning is education, it
is only fitting that we have representative members of the Fellowship
present their diverse views on the topic. The OUUF Covenant states that in
a spirit of caring, we offer our combined gifts and resources. This is what
we plan to do in this service about education. All are welcome.
MITCHELL'S PLAIN MATH PROJECT
fellowship forum -- 9:30 am
Rudd Crawford, discussion leader
Rudd is an Oberlin High School math teacher who has become involved with
improving math instruction at the "Coloured" Portland High School in
Mitchell's Plain, Cape Town, South Africa. Portland still suffers from the
impact of apartheid. Rudd has visited there several summers in a row,
bringing basic equipment and his own enthusiasm for math instruction. Since
his involvement began, math test scores have improved at Portland. Rudd's
activities are sponsored by OUUF. All are welcome.
Sunday, November 23, 2003
IN PRAISE OF BREAD:
CELEBRATION FOR THE SUNDAY
BEFORE THANKSGIVING
morning service -- 11:00 am
Barbara Fuchsman, Service Leader
This is the Fellowship's annual celebration of the gifts of the Earth, an
intergenerational observance of the season of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Everyone is invited to bring bread to share.
There WILL BE Sunday School and child care; this service is now in the same
time slot as other services. PLEASE BRING BREAD IF YOU CAN.All are welcome.
VINTAGE: A HISTORY OF WINE
fellowship forum -- 9:30 am
Ed Vermue, Forum Leader
What more fitting companion to the Bread Service than a Wine Forum? This
video presentation, of which we will watch as much as we can get in, covers
"First pressing," the origins of wine; "Drinking the god," wine & religion;
and "Empire of the vine," wine in antiquity. All are welcome.
Sunday, November 30, 2003
MUSIC AND SPIRITUALITY
music service -- 11:00 am
Andy Frantz, Service Leader
Andy will speak about the connection of music to spirituality. The service
will all be built around musical selections: some recorded, some performed
live, and some that we all sing together. All are welcome.
THE SONGS ARE FREE
fellowship forum -- 9:30 am
Ed Vermue, Forum Leader
This video traces the history of communal singing and the repertoire rooted
in the Black Church -- from songs of resistance, courage, and pride to
songs of determination and faith -- and explores their roles from the
Underground Railroad through the Civil Rights movement and into the 1990s.
All are welcome.
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