March 2003 THE CHALICE NEWSLETTER OF THE OBERLIN UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP 317 East College Street Oberlin OH 44074 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 Child care: 10:30 - Noon Forum: 9:30 - 10:30 Social Gathering 10:30 - 11 Service: 11 - Noon Care for the very youngest children available during services and forums OUUF WEBSITE To be dropped from this circulation, contact . Sunday, March 2, 2003 BEING OPEN TO NEW MINISTRY morning service -- 11:00 am Rev. Don Rollins, Rev. Rod Thompson Ohio-Meadville District Consultant, The Reverend Rod Thompson, will join Don in leading a service about the shared ministry of a congregation and minister. All are welcome. MISSION AND COVENANT fellowship forum -- 9:30 am Rev. Rollins Don will lead us as we take the first step toward developing a new mission- covenant for OUUF. We'll complete a brief form, then discuss some of our visions and goals. (The form will be available at each Sunday service for those who cannot attend the forum. Please return all forms to Cal Frye by March 23.) All are welcome. INEXPENSIVE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSING Young Adult housing at GA is available as a cheaper option for people who like to hang out with young adults or whose budget can't handle the hotel rates. The GA Young Adult Caucus leadership decided to make these rooms available to everyone (and not just YAs) in order to increase the financial accessibility of this General Assembly for all. Hotel rooms (3 single beds per room, private baths) are available at the Fenway Hostel for $210 per person/bed (triple occupancy -- though we'll sell you a whole room if you want for $630) total for the five nights of GA, and hostel rooms (6 single beds per room, shared bath) at the Hemenway Hostel are available for $145 per person/bed total for five nights. A limited number of rooms are available for the two nights before GA as well. The only catch is that anyone under 18 *must* be staying in the same room as their parent/guardian. We'll even gladly charge a UUA account if you let us know. Visit for more information. Michael Tino, Director of Young Adult and Campus Ministry Unitarian Universalist Association tel: 919-401-9944 fax: 530-686-3913 www.uua.org/ya-cm/ FROM THE MINISTER... During the Gulf War, I recall "church work" feeling a bit like I was fiddl- ing while Rome burned. Sure, the work of my religious community had to con- tinue: services, meetings, newslet- ters, pledge drives. But I remember the huge cloud of concern and frus- tration that hung over those days, putting the usual activities in a different perspective, if only for a while. That same distinct feeling is back. And once again, both things are true: we deal with the cloud of concern and frustration and we carry on. Toge- ther. The most recent issue of UU World includes an interesting article on hometowns, by Mary Pipher. She makes the case for community, but does so without the rose-colored platitudes that often accompany such discus- sions. For Pipher, community means dealing with local politics, good and bad. It means dealing with local people, honest and dishonest. She says that community does not mean "free of conflict", then quotes Dennis Schmitz: "Humans wrestle with each other, and sometimes that wrest- ling turns into embracing." We will bear up under the weight of our concerns and frustrations. Yes, our lives are once again lived in the shadow of yet another war, but we also have the profound blessing of life lived in community - religious community. Is that life together free of conflict? No more so than in our homeland or hometown. Does our wrestling turn into embracing? Often. Hopefully, even more often, given that war cloud under which we currently find ourselves. Here's to hope. Here's to peace. Here's to community, even when hope and peace seem elusive. Peace, Don Sunday, March 9, 2003 RALPH WALDO EMERSON: STILL LIVELY AT 200 morning service -- 11:00 am Barbara Fuchsman, service leader The Transcendentalists -- nature lov- ing philosophers, writers, poets and abolitionists from 19th century New England -- believed that works of genius should serve not as idols but as sources of inspiration that spur us on to achieve our own hardwon in- sights. In anticipation of Emerson's 200th birthday this coming May, Barbara will explore ways she and other UU's still find the work of Emerson and Henry David Thoreau help- ful as we work to grow spiritually and contribute meaningfully to our communities. All are welcome. TRANSCENDING UNITARIANISM: EMERSON'S DRIFT fellowship forum -- 9:30 am T. Scott McMillin, Forum Leader Noted scholar T. Scott McMillin, Associate Professor of English at Oberlin College, will begin the forum with background on Emerson's thoughts regarding nature and our place in it, dwell on his "Divinity School Address" and the problems with the Unitarians of his day, and conclude with some gentle urgings for Emersonian "Onwardness." All are welcome. UNDERGROUND COFFEEHOUSE The next coffeehouse will be held Friday, March 21, at 8:00 P.M. at First United Methodist Church. Come sing, read, tell a story, dance or listen. A $1 donation and canned food item are requested. The Underground Coffeehouse is a chemical-free environment. UU ORIENTATION On March 13, Don will lead a joint OUUF-Olmsted UU Congregation session for those interested in knowing more about Unitarian Universalism. The session is open to anyone, but is especially recommended for new or prospective members in the two con- gregations. We'll meet at the Olmsted church, 5050 Porter Road in North Olmsted, at 7:00 P.M. (Contact Don for directions.) 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. NORTHERN NEWS Bob Chiarelli, Mayor of Ottawa, proclaimed February 12, 2003 -- Charles Darwin's birthday -- as Darwin Day in that city. Sunday, March 16, 2003 HONORING THE GODDESSES IN EVERY WO(MAN) morning service -- 11:00 am Lisette Burwasser, Carol Wilde Service Leaders We will explore the archetypes of the triple goddess (Maiden, Mother and Crone) through myth, liturgy and song. All are welcome. THE POLITICS OF REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM fellowship forum -- 9:30 am Three employees of Preterm Cleveland, Inc. will discuss the laws in Ohio regarding reproductive choice and how today's political climate may affect repro- ductive freedom in the future. All are welcome. MITCHELL'S PLAIN MATH PROJECT OUUF Social Action Committee supports the involvement of Rudd Crawford, an Oberlin High School math teacher, in 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 reports sharp improvement in math test scores at Portland High. He is going back this summer. Portland High still needs the most basic equipment. Tax deductible contributions in support can be made through OUUF. Please contact Ed Miller, OUUF Treasurer. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Our teachers continue to do a terrif- ic job, maintaining consistent energy and commitment. Much of that energy comes from the kids they get to interact with. Learn on one and all! Parents: When the weather improves, please bring your children dressed to go outside. Both teachers and child- care providers will have outdoor activities for them. Besides, I hear the kids miss being outside! Also a reminder about snack/coffee time between 10:30 and 11 AM. Please be sure to connect with your child- ren, assure their hunger and toiletry needs are satisfied then, regardless of their age! This will help us out greatly during the service. Some UU college students want to connect with us and do something for the "BIG PARADE" that will take place once again in May. Stay tuned for more info. Contact me with your bright ideas. 2003 - 2004 Religious Education Year: Do you want to learn more about UU principles and values? Do you yearn for child contact? Do you feel a need to be more creative? Consider teach- ing or co-teaching a religious edu- cation class next year! Contact me, Joan Webster or Susan Egan with your interests. "All work with children is, in essence, spiritual." James Peterson. Kim Peters Religious Education Director REFRESHMENTS Refreshments on Sunday morning are supplied by members and friends of the congregation. We invite you to please participate. RITES FOR UU ASTRONAUT On February 5, under the grey and cool Texas sky, the Rev. Dr. Tony Larsen, minister of the Olympia Brown UU congregation of Racine, Wisconsin, remembered his parishioner Laurel Salton Clark -- one of seven astro- nauts lost on the shuttle Columbia -- with affection in a private memorial service. The service was held at the Armand Bayou Nature Center in Houston and included elements from Laurel's wedding to her husband John; reflec- tions of friends; and water which symbolized her friends' tears as well as nourishing rain. The Olympia Brown UU Church has esta- blished the Laurel Clark Memorial Fund, which will be administered by her family. Laurel Clark's brother Dan, and her mother, Marge Brown, will determine how to best use the funds depending on the amount raised. Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church will manage the fund. Contributions should be mailed to: LAUREL CLARK MEMORIAL FUND c/o The Associated Bank 1722 Douglas Ave. Racine, WI, 53404 **Please note that all checks must be made out to: LAUREL CLARK MEMORIAL FUND. TWO UUA STAFF MEMBERS TO GO ON TRIAL FOR OPPOSING SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS On February 10, 2003, two members of the Unitarian Universalist Associa- tion staff will stand trial for crossing onto the property of the School of the Americas at a vigil held on November 17, 2002. Laurel Albina (Program Associate in the Young Adult and Campus Ministry Office) and Mimi LaValley (Youth Program Specialist) have been charged with Class B Federal Misdemeanors and face up to six months in jail and $5,000 fines. Based in Fort Benning, Georgia, the School of the Americas (SOA) was renamed the "Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation" (WHISC) in 2001. However, the name change has not affected the insti- tution's mission. The non-profit organization SOA Watch explains that the school "trains Latin American soldiers in combat, counter-insur- gency, and counter-narcotics. Gradu- ates of the SOA are responsible for some of the worst human rights abuses in Latin America. Among the SOA's nearly 60,000 graduates are notorious dictators Manuel Noriega and Omar Torrijos of Panama, Leopoldo Galtieri and Roberto Viola of Argentina, Juan Velasco Alvarado of Peru, Guillermo Rodriguez of Ecuador, and Hugo Banzer Suarez of Bolivia." Last November's vigil was in memory of those who died at the hands of SOA/WHISC graduates. "For five hours the names of the massacred and disappeared were read aloud," explained Albina. "This is the heart of the SOA vigil, it is not an angry protest, it is a somber and sad affair." While hundreds of people attended the vigil, LaValley, Albina, fellow Massachusetts UU Jason Lydon, and 83 others, crossed through the gates of Fort Benning and were arrested. After her arrest, Albina said of her participation in the vigil, "We all have responsibilities and commitments; we all have friends and families that are affected by our decisions. That day I took action because there was no better day to take action. That day I was guided by my heart, and ready to align my actions with my truth." Over the years, many UUs have participated in similar vigils in- cluded two from the Fellowship. The 1998 UUA General Assembly passed an Action of Immediate Witness on SOA. Local fund raising events are being held to aid LaValley and Albina. If you wish to contribute to their legal defense fund, you can do so by writ- ing a check to SOA Watch with the notation "UU Legal Defense" in the memo line and sending it to: UUA Youth Office C/o Ethan Field Unitarian Universalist Association 25 Beacon Street, Boston MA 02108 HOW TO FIND THE OBERLIN U.U. FELLOWSHIP OUUF meets in the Oberlin Early Childhood Center at 317 East College Street, marked by a large abstract statue of a parent and child. Service and Forum space is barrier-free. Parking in the front and to the east. Sunday, March 23, 2003 SUNDAY, MARCH 23rd SPECIAL PROGRAM A special event at this sensitive time, focusing on the recent history of Iraq, will replace the usual morning Forum and Service. Beginning at 9:30, we will view the short version of the documentary "Paying the Price: Killing the Children of Iraq" (2000) by journalist John Pilger. Immediately follow this will be a reading of a shortened version of the New Yorker article "The Great Terror" (25 March, 2002) by journalist Jeffrey Goldberg. Both pieces feature on the spot journalism of a high order, yet they focus on different aspects of the crisis in Iraq and warn of future dangers in different quarters as well. Both of these pieces are of a graphic and disturbing nature not appropriate for children. We also ask that those in attendence commit to staying for the entire event. After a short break we will return for a moderated discussion of our responses to the pieces just heard and an opportunity to express our fears and resolve. If time permits, we will read some outside critiques of each of the pieces viewed that morning which in turn question their journalistic objectivity. Ed Vermue, Program Chair BOARD NOTES The finance committee was scheduled to meet in February to discuss our investments in light of the stock market's continued poor performance. Kim Peters is beginning to recruit Sunday School teachers for next year. There will be a notice about this in the March CHALICE. Kim has generously offered to continue as Director of RE next year, and the board has accepted her offer. The RE committee is con- sidering programming for children for June. This committee is also concern- ed that we are not well set up to care for infants. Parents have been helping to care for the infants. On April 26 there will be an intergenerational clean-up effort. This may be a joint event with Oberlin/Sandusky/North Olmstead UUs and might end with a bowling party. The Program Committee plans a survey. LERM (Lake Erie Regional Ministry, the group that helps coordinate Don's schedule) met in early January. The group evaluated the ministry, to date, in the areas of administration, pastoral care, worship, and religious education. There was general agree- ment that Don is meeting the expec- tations of the three groups, with some 'tweaking' around increased involvement with children and youth. The next board meeting will be Sunday, March 23rd at 7:00pm at the Frye/Smith home, 367 North Prospect. Visitors are always welcome at Board meetings, and the input of OUUF mem- bers is both welcome and guaranteed under our Bylaws. Katie Styer Board Secretary Sunday, March 30th, 2003 HAPPINESS morning service -- 11:00 am Cindy Frantz, Service Leader How do we become happy? Is it the goal of life, or a pleasant side effect that arises when you're doing something else? The sources of happi- ness -- and our beliefs about happi- ness -- will be explored. Cindy Frantz is a professor of psychology at Oberlin College and a new OUUF member. All are welcome. BIOETHICS fellowship forum -- 9:30 am Paul Treuhaft, MD Dr Treuhaft will discuss stem cell research and cloning, topics that are scientific and social, but have been made religious and political. Our speaker is a bioethicist at Lorain Community Health Partners, an Oberlin College graduate and an Oberlin resident. We welcome him to the OUUF pulpit. All are welcome. ANNUAL CANVASS The Canvass Committee of the Fellowship is responsible for providing our members and friends with an opportunity to contribute financially through an annual pledge so that the goals of the congregation may be realized. On Sunday, April 6, the two-week Canvass will begin, and at that time, members and friends will be provided pledge forms and the tentative budget for July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004. Keith Koenning Canvass Committee Chair OHIO-MEADVILLE DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETING April 4th & 5th at First Universalist Church of Youngstown, 1105 Elm St, Youngstown OH. Theme is "Growing by Doing Church Better". RESCHEDULING Inclement weather forced cancellation of church on Sunday, February 23rd. We hope to reschedule the Service by the LUUV students and the Forum by Prof Carol Lasser for (a) not too distantly future date(s). CONFERENCE ON THE FREE CHURCH A Conference on the Free Church gathers at the First Unitarian Church of Cleveland in Shaker Hts. OH on 22-24 May 2003. The theme is: Personal Faith/Public Voice In addressing this theme, we are focusing upon these questions: How should the Free Church approach social witness as a pluralistic organization with a foundational principle of personal religious freedom? What should be the relationship between public theology and congregational pluralism? There will be a keynote talk by the Rev. Alice Blair Wesley, who delivered the 2000-2001 Minns Lectures on Covenant. The Rev. Thomas Schade will offer a paper on the historcal perspective of our topic. A panel discussion led by the Rev.'s Gary Blaine, Nicole Kirk and Burton Carley will discuss how this issue is handled in three particular parishes. On Saturday, Ms. Diane Olson, Moderator of the UUA, will offer an institutional perspective. The Rev. Brent Smith will be the chaplain. Registration materials and schedule were mailed to every UU church last month. If you want more, or have lost the one sent to you, contact the Rev. Daniel Budd via email at revdbudd@aol.com, or send a note to him at First Unitarian Church, 21600 Shaker Blvd., Shaker Hts. OH 44122. Deadline for registrations and hotel accomodations is March 25th. === Published monthly by Oberlin Unitarian Universalist Fellowship: member, Unitarian Universalist Association and Ohio-Meadville District thereof. Member, Oberlin Area Cooperating Ministry and Laity. Mail: MPO Box 0354, Oberlin OH 44074-0354. Phone: 774-5591. Email: Website: Clergy: Rev. Don Rollins. R.E. Director: Kim Peters. Chair: Tom Phinney. Vice Chair: Barbara Fuchsman. Treasurer: Ed Miller. Secretary: Katie Styer. Editor: Dave Burwasser. Webmaster: Cal Frye.