October 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 discontinued from this circulation, notify . Sunday, October 5, 2003 GAY AND STRAIGHT: A LIBERAL RELIGIOUS VIEW morning service -- 11:00 am Reverend Don Rollins Some fundamentalist traditions ground their views of diverse sexualities in a literal application of a sacred text. But Unitarian Universalists, while honoring scripture, add to the discussion reason, experience and a fierce belief in human dignity. Is there a coherent UU theology of sexu- al diversity? If so, by what authori- ty? All are welcome. THE SO-CALLED 'PATRIOT ACT' fellowship forum -- 9:30 am Carol Ganzel, guest speaker Carol, a retired editor of the Oberlin College newspaper THE OBSERVER, and a long time active member and former State Board member of the American Civil Liberties Union, will discuss how the USA PATRIOT ACT affects us. The discus- sion will touch on the recently passed resolution of Oberlin City Council in opposition to USA PATRIOT. All are welcome. FROM THE MINISTER... We Oberlin UUs know well that a con- gregation without a building of its own faces a unique set of challenges: a.. No place for our youth to paint black and our children to call their own b.. No central location for commun- ity meetings, adult religious educa- tion or campus ministry c.. No office space for staff d.. Labor-intensive set-up and tear-down each Sunday e.. Limited storage f.. Impaired communication for lack of a physical "hub" g.. Little sense of "sacred space" that reflects and nurtures us My obvious bias aside, this is not a column about a building for OUUF; it's a salute to the newly formed Social Justice Team, who, despite the limitations of no building, are ad- dressing our desire to live out our faith more fully. How so? By suggest- ing social justice activities that find us in partnership with like- minded agencies, causes and faith communities. True, we can't yet host meetings, forums or seminars but we can join the effort to design a program for decreasing local energy use and costs. We can't yet offer reduced-rate space to people and causes we support, but we can assist in a voter registration drive that will increase turnout. We can't offer a sanctuary for interfaith services, but we can increase our funding to Oberlin Community Services as they provide food and necessary services for people in need. Later this year, the Social Justice Team will begin an education process regarding our focus for the rest of this fellowship year. The Board will then schedule a congregational meeting for the purpose of selecting one local and one "global" issue, complete with action plans. Stay tuned to The Chalice and Sunday announcements for details. It's exciting to know that we need not focus on our limitations - not as individuals, not as a gathered religious community. Hats off to Cindy McPherson Frantz, Andy Frantz, Darlene Krato, Dave Burwasser, Barbara Fuchsman, Jo Huber and Helen Hoskins. Thanks for helping us link our faith and our actions! Peace, Don Sunday, October 12, 2003 TEACHINGS FROM THE MEDICINE WHEEL morning service -- 11:00 am Denise DeArment, service leader For many Plains Native Americans, the Medicine Wheel is THE fundamental teaching. Its beauty lies in the paradox of its simplicity, as well as its unfolding complexities. Denise is a member of Urban Hope UU Congrega- tion in Cleveland. All are welcome. SHAMANISM AND THE IMMUNE RESPONSE fellowship forum -- 9:30 am Carol Wilde, forum leader Carol will give a brief review of "core shamanism" and present ongoing research by Sandra Harner about the effects of shamanic journeying on our immune system. All are welcome. (It will be helpful, though not manda- tory, to attend this forum prior to the Oct 19 service and forum, which will also deal with shamanism.) WHEN TO CONTACT DON Okay, your minister is spread out over three congregations, plus the good UUs at Kendal. You think you should contact him about __________. You're a good soul, given to solving things alone or making do. So, how do you know whether or not it's time to contact Don? Here are the three rules to be followed: RULE 1: There is no rule. RULE 2: Call, or: RULE 3: E-mail. Follow these rules carefully whenever you're down, up or sideways; when you're concerned or elated about something to do with the Fellowship; when you're worried, confused, curi- ous or in need; when trouble comes; when you've got a great idea; and, finally, when you're not sure if you should contact him or not. As of October 1, Don's new address is: 310 N. Prospect Street, Oberlin. His new phone number is 440-775-9989. His e-mail address will remain the same. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Refreshments on Sunday morning are supplied by members and friends of the congregation. We invite you to please participate. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Autumn greetings RE families. Besides the curriculum notices, there are a few developing RE issues to inform you about. OUR WHOLE LIVES (OWL) is a compre- hensive sexual education program developed jointly by the UUA and UCC as a way of acknowledging the need for respect, truth and balance in regards to sexual issues in our lives. Oberlin UU Fellowship is sponsoring a community wide meeting for parents to gain information about this program to be offered this year to youth in the area who are aged 14 and 15 and in high school. The meeting is on Sunday, October 12, at 2pm at the Oberlin Public Library, in the main meeting room, just past the coat racks. OWL trainers Tim Egan and Peg Tucker will present information to interested families. Please contact Kim Peters, or 776-0132 if you would like to attend. A second meeting, Sunday, October 19, at 2pm at the Oberlin Public Library, will be held for families who intend to enroll their youth in the program. Peg and Tim will use this time to further inform parents and to organ- ize a class schedule. Again, please contact Kim Peters to register for this meeting. "Save your drama for your mama!" was etched into a picnic table I lunched at recently at another college campus. Well, hey mamas, papas, and kids of ALL ages, it is time to pull a few creative dramatic people toge- ther to plan this December's holiday pageant, scheduled for December 14. I have 2 UU dramas for all ages that we should consider. I am looking for a group of about 4 people to start considering these pieces and look into putting it on. Please let me know if you are interested in helping out in any way! I am hearing good things from the kids about their RE classes and am thrilled with the satisfaction from the teachers this far! We are great together. It may not be a known fact that I volunteer my services as the Director of Religious Education to the Fellow- ship primarily because I wish to con- tribute to the Fellowship's health and well being and keep our finances in the black. Under Ed's and my cur- rent immigration status, I am unable to earn an income in the US. Our OUUF board and I have an agreement that childcare for my children would be arranged to allow me to achieve some of the religious education tasks. I feel deep gratitude to Katie Styer who has offered to coordinate members of the Fellowship willing to care for Charlotte and Maya during these times. I would be glad to hear from any of you if you have any concerns, questions or ideas. Namaste, Kim Peters Director of R.E. 776-0132 SIECUS LAUDS OWL The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the US (SIECUS) has recognized innovative initiatives that have implemented new comprehens- ive programs, lesson plans, curric- ula, coalition partnerships, and media campaigns that integrate teen pregnancy, STD, and HIV/AIDS preven- tion. SIECUS notes that "Our Whole Lives is one exceptional example," recognizing that the curriculum, developed by the UUA and the UCC United Church Board of Homeland Ministries provides not only facts about anatomy and human development but also helps participants to clar- ify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality. OBERLIN UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP 2003-2004 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CURRICULA Preschool and Kindergarten Teachers: Kerry Langan and Shelly Rasmussen Curriculum: We are Many We are One This class will discuss the rela- tionships in a young child's world. It will address such questions as: What is a person? Who am I? How am I related to others? How do I treat other people? What is my role in my family, my neighborhood, my classes and world? What do I have in common with others? How am I unique? Liter- ature, art, music and movement will be used to explore these topics. Grades 1 - 3 Teacher: Barbara Fuchsman Curriculum: Experiences with the Web of Life This curriculum involves children with the Unitarian Universalist principle of respect for the inter- dependent web of all existence of which we are a part. Through direct involvement with the out of doors and with living things, we teach rever- ence for life and how to care for the Earth. Grades 4 - 6 Location: Rainbow room, first door past office, the room at end of hallway Teachers: Nancy Boutilier and Ed Miller Curriculum: Travel in Time This is an active and enjoyable exploration of our Unitarian Universalist history. Via the class constructed time machine, kids will develop an appreciation for famous UUs, the 7 Purposes and Principles, and the relevance of UUism to our lives and in social action. Grades 7 - 8 Location: Rainbow room, first door past office, the room at end of hallway Teacher: Joan Webster Curriculum: Life Lessons We explore our culture, (including advertising, nutrition, finances), and notice how it impacts our under- standing of ourselves in community. We will also explore the yin/yang concept of balance, stress, types of generosity, and empathy with aging. This class involves lots of practical and fun activities! High school Location: Staff room, enter first door past office, 2nd doorway on left, with couches Teacher: Kim Peters (intermittently Don Rollins) Curriculum: In Our Hands, A Peace and Social Justice Program A hands on, experiential curriculum where students consider the nature and meaning of peace and social justice. Topics explored include the nature of conflict, its management and resolution; paths to peace and justice; current peace and justice issues and ways we can act to bring about positive change. Sunday, October 19, 2003 THE JOURNEY EXPERIENCE morning service -- 11:00 am Harry Pepper and Carol Wilde Service leaders This will be an experiential service on shamanic journeying. All who have drums and/or rattles are encouraged to bring them and participate. Harry Pepper is a licensed clinical psycho- logist for Oberlin College. All are welcome. SHAMANIC JOURNEYING FOR PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH fellowship forum -- 9:30 am Harry Pepper and Carol Wilde Forum leaders. The shamanic journey is an ancient method for healing. We will discuss how it is being used today as a com- plementary therapy for health. All are welcome. 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 who are trained to be the first UU in and/or last UU out of OECC. In addition we need volunteers to help unload/load our storage shed and help with clean- up tasks. This is NOT an every week commitment. Please contact Peg Tucker, 775-0301; or Katie Styer, 775-0959. REGISTER AND VOTE October 6th is the last day to register to vote. This can be done at City Hall, the library, grocery stores and other locations around Oberlin. BOARD NOTES BOARD MISSION STATEMENT adopted at the Board Retreat of 9 August 2003: The mission of the board of the Oberlin Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is to enable the fellow- ship to function in the Unitarian Universalist tradition of individual beliefs, supporting each other with compassion and serving peace and justice. At the regular August Board meeting, the board voted to pay our Fair Share to the UUA. This is $2,016, based on $48/member, with 42 members. Don Rollins plans to spend less time in administration and more time with adult education. He would like to see a covenant group started. Barbara Fuchsman is interested in becoming a Commissioned Lay Leader. Ed Vermue and Barbara Fuchsman will be OUUF's liaisons to LERM (the group that coordinates Don's schedule). The board is looking into the issue of ministerial malpractice insurance. The October board meeting will be 10/15 at 7pm at the Peters/Vermue home. Visitors are welcome, and the right of OUUF members to participate in Board discussions is guaranteed by the OUUF Bylaws. Katie Styer Board Secretary FROM THE CARING TEAM During October there will be a sheet you can fill out at Social Hour listing you and your families' birth- dates or any other days that are very special to you. We would like to acknowledge these special times during the year and want to have a special annual event when we can all celebrate together. You can also email Darlene Krato or Kim Peters. Sunday, October 26, 2003 SAMHAIN morning service -- 11:00 am Lisette and David Burwasser We have no choice but to be haunted. The dead are always in our minds, in our hearts. Just because there is no set UU belief about the dead, does not relieve us of the need to deal with the dead. Samhain (SAH-wun), the pre-Christian Celtic holiday for the dead, remains with us in present-day Halloween. This service, conveying the spirit of Samhain, is cast primarily in UU liturgy. Like much of Earth-centered spirituality, it is more about what is done than what is believed. All are welcome. ETHICAL ISSUES AROUND DEATH AND DYING fellowship forum -- 9:30 am Dr. Paul Treuhaft, MD, forum leader Our speaker is a bioethicist at Lorain Community Health Partners, an Oberlin College graduate and an Oberlin resident. He spoke to us last year about bioethics. We welcome him back to the OUUF pulpit. All are welcome. COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY UPDATE The Committee on Ministry promotes and preserves the Fellowship's Mission and Covenant by evaluating lay and professional ministry, by facilitating communication within the Fellowship, by making recommendations for improvement, and by resolving conflict. This is the Committee's newly adopted mission statement. John Marshall, Cindy Frantz, Rev. Don Rollins, and Keith Koenning, met twice in September and have two meetings scheduled for October. In September the Committee adopted the mission statement and a conflict management process. The Committee will keep members and friends informed of its activities. Questions or comments may be directed to October convenor Cindy Frantz at 774-2374, or to any member of the Committee. 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 environmen- tal responsibility. In this spirit of caring fellowship, we offer our combined gifts and resources. Published by Oberlin Unitarian Universalist Fellowship: member, Unitarian Universalist Association and Ohio-Meadville District thereof. Mail: MPO Box 0354, Oberlin OH 44074-0354. Phone: 774-5591. Website: Clergy: Rev. Don Rollins. R.E. Director: Kim Peters. Chair: Cal Frye. Vice Chair: Barbara Fuchsman. Treasurer: Virginia Erdy. Secretary: Katie Styer. Editor: Dave Burwasser. Webmaster: Cal Frye.