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December 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
FROM THE MINISTER...
Anyone who does research for a sermon knows that one has to be careful
about certain topics; sometimes the one who is most challenged and changed
by a sermon is the preacher her or himself. Such is the case with my work
on this year's Christmas sermon.
As you may know, liberation theology began as a school of thought that read
the Christian scriptures through the eyes of the marginalized. Born among
Roman Catholics in South and Central America, liberation theology has since
been applied in many other cultures and religious traditions, but its
central tenet remains the same: God/Love/Justice is on the side of the
oppressed.
While I've been familiar with liberation theology and some of its
proponents for some time, it only recently occurred to me to revisit the
Christmas story solely through the eyes of the oppressed. Sure, most
religious liberals - UU and otherwise - are disturbed by the rampant
consumerism of the holidays. Long ago, many of us opted out of the annual
rush to find the "right gift" for folks who already have all of their needs
and many of their wants met.
And, I know of many a religious liberal for whom the holiday season is a
time to donate to food banks and other charities. But a liberation theology
Christmas dares us to move beyond helping the poor in the struggle for
survival to joining the poor in the struggle for justice. As Mitch Snyder,
the late advocate for the homeless in our nation's capitol used to say,
liberation theology is not just about a handout, it's about a hand up.
Please don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting that we not write an extra
check or two this holiday season. The North Olmsted Food Pantry, Oberlin
Community Services and Care & Share (Sandusky) are, each and all, worthy of
our support. But if my return visit to liberation theology has shown me
anything, it's that God/ Love/Justice is also about working to dismantle
the systems and "programs" that either abandon or further dehumanize poor
folks.
It was the early liberation theologians who said that the Christmas story
is really the story of a homeless couple in crisis. And it was Howard
Thurman who said that the work of Christmas really begins after the angels
are stilled, the star is gone and the shepherds are back with their flocks.
I say, let us resolve to be open to the nagging suspicion that both Thurman
and the liberation theology crowd are right.
Peace,
DON AT KENDAL
The Kendal UU service is on the third Sunday of each month between
September and June. We meet at 4:15 P.M. in Whittier Lounge. OUUFers are
certainly welcome to join us.
Don
ADULT RE IS COMING IN JANUARY!
Starting Tuesday, January 6, and continuing each Tuesday in January, Don
will facilitate the curriculum Articulating Your UU Faith. The course
provides some historical and theological background, but also offers
practical experience in discussing UUism and one's own beliefs. We'll meet
in the dining room at Kendal at Oberlin, from 7-9 P.M. There is no cost for
the course.
DON'S SCOPE AND SCHEDULE
Don is available for pastoral care and/or short-term counseling, in
addition to his other activities. Feel free to contact him at 440-775-9989
or . Just a reminder that Friday is generally
reserved for writing sermons and Monday is Don's day off.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The holiday season began with a lively, truly inclusive Bread Service.
Congratulations to all who made it so vital and original! It was good to
relax and be together as a group sharing bread and beverages afterwards! We
really do shine, don't we?!
I encourage you to incorporate the "Guest at Your Table" boxes and
envelopes received during the Bread Service into your holiday activities.
The people on the boxes are real and in grave need of the world becoming
better informed about their lives. Please review the information given with
your family members. These boxes and envelopes will be collected Sunday,
December 14th during the December Holiday performance. Thank you.
Yes, shine on we will with the December Holiday program on the 14th at
11:00am! Many of us will be practicing during the 9:30 RE hour. For those
of us who are not, the Forum will be lead by Karen Lapedis, Ohio Meadville
District's RE consultant, and Tim Egan and Peg Tucker, OWL youth
facilitators, who will be talking about the "Our Whole Lives" program, a
comprehensive sexuality and life preparedness program for a spectrum of
ages. Please come and learn more about this unique UUA and UCC developed
program! As a Fellowship, we may be considering expanding what we offer to
include the Kindergarten and 1st grade and the Fourth to Sixth grade
curricula. Your input is valuable as we watch our RE program change and
deepen its breadth.
Teen CHILI LUNCH to follow the Holiday performance at OECC. Don't let the
fun end at noon, join us as we enjoy a meal cooked by the oldest RE class.
It will be their pleasure to host a truly delightful meal for the holidays.
Bring your family's own place settings and a folding table to change the
setting from a staged winter landscape to a UU dining hall.
On December 21 and 28, there will be no RE classes. Childcare supervision
will be provided.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE to be held at Olmstead UU Church at 7:00pm. If there
are people interested in participating in the service itself, please
contact Kim Peters at 776-0132 or . A tri-ministry
event at North Olmstead's building. Come worship together. Car pooling
could be arranged.
The second annual RE Open House will be held on Sunday, January 4, 2004 at
9:30am. This is an opportunity to move freely amongst the RE classes and
experience first hand what our children and youth are learning. Meet in the
larger service room with Kim before dispersing into the classes.
May we be merrily festive and worship together this season.
Kim Peters
Director of Religious Education
LENDING AN EAR
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.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Refreshments on Sunday morning are supplied by members and friends of the
congregation. We invite you to please participate.
THIRD SUNDAY DONATIONS
Pursuant to nominations on the ballots collected at the November 14th
Social Justice potluck, loose coin and currency in the collection plate on
the third Sunday of each month will be donated to a worthy local cause.
December's Third Sunday Collection will go to Oberlin Community Services.
Note, you may direct coin and currency to the support of the Fellowship by
using collection envelopes to be provided; or check.
Third Sunday Collections for 2004 will go to SEPA (January), Planned
Parenthood (February), Boys & Girls Club (March), Lorain Free Clinic
(April), Oberlin Race Relations Council (May), George Jones Farm (June).
GEOFFREY TAYLOR
We are sorrowed to announce the death of Geoffrey Taylor on Monday evening,
November 24, 2003. He was a long-time member of the OUUF family, and will
be missed. Our sympathies to his brothers Ran, in town, and Tom, who is
coming in from Chicago. Further announcements as necessary will be made via
the listserve distribution.
ADVENT WALK
Oberlin churches will join in an Advent Walk on Sunday, December 7, from
3:00 to 5:30pm, stopping at six churches. There will be prayers, carols,
and readings at each congregation. The Walk will visit Sacred Heart, First
Church, First United Methodist, Christ Church, Rust United Methodist and
Mt. Zion Baptist. Folk will need to drive or bike from Sacred Heart into
town. Refreshments at Mt. Zion; goodies from each congregations warmly
accepted.
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 Katie.Styer AT Oberlin DOT edu, 775-0959.
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.
>TOGETHER IN FAITH:
JOURNEY INTO INCLUSIVENESS
The American Friends Service Committee's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
Transgender Program in Ann Arbor MI is having an interfaith conference at
Eastern Michigan University in 2004, "Together in Faith: Journey into
Inclusiveness". They expect about 400-500 LGBT People of Faith. AFSC is
looking for both financial and outreach support. AFSC speakers are
available to supporting congregations, who are invited to be part of the
conference resource fair. Web site: .
r>SEVEN UUs AMONG PLAINTIFFS
IN GAY MARRIAGE DECISION
Seven of the 14 plaintiffs in the Massachusetts gay marriage victory were
Unitarian Universalists, according to a press release issued 11/18 by the
UUA. Fourteen plaintiffs from five Massachusetts counties brought suit in
2001 when seven same-sex couples went to city and town halls to obtain
marriage licenses. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, highest bench
in the state, famously found that the state had "failed to identify any
constitutionally adequate reason for denying civil marriage to same-sex
couples."
UUA President William G. Sinkford issued a statement saying, "We
enthusiastically applaud today's ruling by the Supreme Judicial Court of
Massachusetts in favor of same-sex marriage. The Unitarian Universalist
Association has a long-standing and deeply held religious commitment to
support full equality for bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people,
and today's ruling is a significant step forward in guaranteeing that the
rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples in [the state] are also available to
its bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgender citizens."
>UU CLERGY HELP CREATE
WITNESS FOR THE EARTH
On November 12, 2003, coinciding with the fifth anniversary of the US
signing of the Kyoto Protocol, nearly three hundred individuals gathered at
UN headquarters on Dag Hammarskjold Plaza to hold an interfaith Service of
Repentance and Renewal focusing on global warming. Organized by a team of
interfaith activists including the Rev. Fred Small, minister of First
Parish in Littleton, MA, the service had strong representation from
Unitarian Universalists and was uplifted by the homily given by the Rev
Rosemary Bray McNatt, minister of the Fourth Universalist Church of New
York City, who represented UUA President William G. Sinkford.
MISSION: The OUUF 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 OUUF 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.
BOARD NOTES
The collection taken one Sunday each month will be donated to a social
action effort. The Social Justice Team will decide which social action
effort will receive the collection. (See announcement above.)
Treasurer Virginia Erdy checked on our liability insurance and it seems
that everyone who ought to be covered, is: Sunday School teachers, DRE,
minister, board members.
The board supports Barbara Fuchsman's efforts to become a Commissioned Lay
Leader. The fellowship will pay up to $500 to support her attendance at
workshops. Barbara will write a piece for THE CHALICE (coming in January)
inviting others to join her in becoming commissioned lay leaders.
The next board meeting will be 12/17 at 7:00 at the Peters/Vermue home.
Visitors are welcome, and the right of OUUF members to participate in Board
discussions is guaranteed in the Bylaws.
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Sunday, December 7, 2003
A LIBERATION THEOLOGY CHRISTMAS
morning service -- 11:00 am
Reverend Don Rollins
Don will lead us in a look at the manger tale as interpreted through the
lens of Latin American liberation theology. All are welcome.
WHEN DO WE BECOME GUILTY BYSTANDERS?
fellowship forum -- 9:30 am
Mathis Szykowski, Forum Leader
rescheduled from november
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.
As part of the Forum, the Committee on Ministry will distribute an
important survey to all members and friends. The Committee will be sure
that every OUUF member or friend who is not at the Dec 7 Forum will get a
copy of the COM survey. Everyone's input is important! When you see the
survey, you hopefully will see the need for all of us to respond.
Committee on Ministry: Cindy Frantz, Keith Koenning, John Marshall
Sunday, December 14, 2003
R.E. PAGEANT
morning service -- 11:00 am
OUUF Sunday School
Kerry Langen is coordinating this holiday pageant. How does Christmas
refract through the OUUF Sunday School consciousness, anyway? All are welcome.
OUR WHOLE LIVES
fellowship forum -- 9:30 am
Karen Lapedis, Peg Tucker, Tim Egan
Ohio-Meadville District RE consultant Karen Lapedis will join OUUF's own
OWL instructors Peg and Tim to discuss the Our Whole Lives (OWL) sex-ed
course, developed by the UUA and the UCC, that OUUF will sponsor for the
Oberlin community in 2004. Brief presentations followed by discussion. We
welcome Karen to the OUUF pulpit. All are welcome.
Sunday, December 21, 2003
WINTER SOLSTICE:
LIGHTS IN THE DARK
morning service -- 11:00 am
Molly Mitchell, Barb Fuchsman
As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, here in the north we
welcome time for rest and quiet thinking. We need time in the dark, but at
the solstice, the darkest time of the year, people have known for a long
time that we also need to bring light and joy into the darkness. We will
celebrate the turning of the year with hope, companionship, sharing,
merrymaking and joy. All are welcome.
ADVERTISING & THE END OF THE WORLD
fellowship forum -- 9:30 am
Ed Vermue, Forum Leader
A 40-minute video that presents a compelling and accessible argument about
advertising, consumerism and their impact on the earth's future. All are
welcome.
Wednesday, December 24, 2003
INTERGENERATIONAL CELEBRATION
christmas eve -- 5pm
A Tri-Ministry Service
north olmsted uu church
Oberlin UUs are invited to join those from Sandusky and North Olmsted, for
the intergenerational Christmas Eve service. We'll meet at the North
Olmsted church, 5050 Porter Road, at 5:00 P.M. Contact Don if you need
directions. There will be social time after the service. All are welcome.
Sunday, December 28, 2003
REMEMBRANCES
morning service -- 11:00 am
Lisette & David Burwasser
Once again, each of us is invited to share memories of this season with a
brief story of childhood or adult remembrance of these holidays. The guided
meditation that introduces this service will reflect the spirit of the
ancient Yule holiday. An inter-generational service; all are welcome.
FREE TRADE SLAVES
fellowship forum 9:30 - 10:30 am
Ed Vermue, Forum Leader
This 58-minute video discusses free trade zones and the accompanying
problems that have arisen with human rights, exploitation of workers and
environmental degradation. Filmed on location in Sri Lanka, El Salvador,
Mexico and Morocco. Drawing from the social action themes selected by the
Fellowship. All are welcome.
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