Courier
First Jefferson Unitarian Universalist Church
Fort Worth, Texas
August 1, 2010
No. 288
First Jefferson Unitarian Universalist Church Mission Statement
Did you know that August is one of the most popular times for "church shopping?" People are catching up on summer lists of "I meant to do x,y,z." For some, they try a new church. A visitor’s first impression happens within seconds of entering the building. How we greet those who come in the door is one of the most important expressions of our values and beliefs. The Rev. Peter Morales, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association, writes about hospitality in his pamphlet, Religious Hospitality: A Spiritual Practice for Congregations. He notes:Hospitality, true hospitality, is emotionally powerful. It touches something very deep in us—our profound human longing to feel accepted, to belong, to be loved, to feel safe, to be valued and respected.
Hospitality is not something to be proclaimed; it must be lived. Hospitality is both a spiritual discipline and an expression of spiritual health. If I feel angry, hurt, unloved, or alienated I cannot offer a warm welcome. Conversely, if I am at peace, filled with joy at being alive, aware of those around me with compassion in my heart, then hospitality flows naturally and inevitably from the depths of my being.
What is true of an individual is also true of a community. A congregation in which people do not genuinely love each other is not likely to exude warmth. A congregation that is self-absorbed and disconnected from its community cannot offer religious hospitality. Hospitality is love in action.
He goes on to point out that there are a thousand ways to practice hospitality, beginning with those we already know. On a given Sunday, each of us comes across people with whom we are familiar, as well as those of light acquaintance. I encourage all of us to practice an open welcome with our friends as well as with visitors. This community is built on relationships that are built and sustained over years and decades. What if we greeted one another as if we had not seen each other for years? What would we find with a fresh look and new eyes? The practice of a fresh look could assist all of us as the congregation addresses developments in finance and stewardship and the search for a new director of religious education. Much is in process. Let us avoid the great hazard of assuming we know another’s knowledge and opinion. Let us ask each other about our hopes, fears, and dreams for this congregation.
Another temptation I find is when I am welcoming, and feel that I accomplished the task of a social exchange, yet later I realize I did not offer an authentic reception to that person. The stakes are far too high for us to mistake completing a function for an intentional and open encounter. The need in our society for real companions in our spiritual lives is too great to let any Sunday be just another Sunday. As Morales points out: "The hunger for true religious community, for connection and commitment, is pervasive in our time. Our future depends on whether we can connect with people at the level of their deepest longings and highest aspirations. We are called to feed the spiritually hungry and to offer a home to the religiously homeless. And in the process, we are enriched in spirit." Our future depends on us. May we start by being enriched with a warm and genuine welcome.
Namaste,
Jennifer
Where in the UU World is the Rev. Jennifer?
As of this newsletter, I expect to work out of the church office on the afternoons of August 11 and 12. I will attend the Getting to Know UU session and the Membership Committee meeting on August 8, the Committee on Ministries on August 11, and the Connections Team on August 29. For August 24-28, I will work from home on a project separate from my commitments to this church. This time away from the office is to help offset the hours I served the congregation in June and July over and above my usual responsibilities. At the beginning of the month, Patrick, Nate, and I will attend the Southwestern Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute in Oklahoma on August 1-6. August also marks my return to serving the church in Midland. I will be in West Texas for August 13-22. While in Midland and at SWUUSI I may take a little longer to respond to calls and email. Please let me know if a matter needs my urgent attention. More than a full-time minister, I rely on you to reach out to me with questions and concerns.
The best ways to find me are by my cell phone: 972-639-7900 and by email: revjinnis@earthlink.net. My day off is Monday. I will return general calls and email after my day off is complete. In case of emergency, I will respond a soon as possible.
Bowing to the Light within,
Jennifer
Calendar of Worship ThemesWorship begins at 11:00 each Sunday. Thank you for arriving in the Sanctuary early enough for us to begin the service on time.
"I Don't Want to Talk About It"
Jeff Rodriquez
Westside UU Church
UUs and other liberal religions pride themselves on being open-minded and willing to hear other viewpoints. But how tolerant are we really? Jeff Rodriguez has some observations on this -- and he wants to talk about them.
Question Box Sermon
The Rev. Jennifer Innis
Bring your questions about life, the universe, and everything. Having never before seen your questions until the moment they are asked, Rev. Jennifer will respond to the best of her ability using your inquiries to help shape the direction of worship for the rest of the year.
"Embracing the Darkness"
Tasha Morris
First Jefferson UU Church
During hard times, we need to embrace our struggles to find hope, embrace the darkness in our life to find the star light.
"Heartlag"
The Diversity Team presents a participatory service on heartlag, when your mind knows better but your heart has not caught up.
Ingathering Water Communion
The Rev. Jennifer Innis
All are invited to celebrate the start of the new church year with this service of return and reconnection. All ages are welcome to bring a small amount of water that represents our summer experiences to be shared during worship
Summer is about halfway over, and like many of you, I find my time is taken up by lots of travel and commitments. Trips to see distant relatives, family vacations, GA, SWUUSI, camps, and so much more. And like many of you, summer is when I probably spend my most time away from the church during the year. In my case, it’s not a conscious decision. It just is.
So when I come back after being away for a few weeks, I find a wonderful surprise. Work at our church didn’t stop! We’ve had camps at our church, NTAUUS board trainings, our Sanctuary has been painted, the floors of the Sanctuary have been waxed and work has begun to clean our carpets. Furniture has been moved around, opening up our entranceway and showing off our beautiful garden to visitors. Many of the committees and groups have also been working steadily to get prepared for the starting church year. As busy as so many of us are over the summer, we find the time to help out in our community, a community that means a lot to each of us. I want to take this time to say a very public "Thank You!" The service that so many of you do helps to move this church forward. Of course, I’ll also come around and thank many of you personally for the wonderful things you are doing, and I would like to encourage many of you to come out and thank each other for the marvelous things that have happened here this summer.
Lastly, I want to encourage everyone to continue moving forward with this momentum. There are still so many ways we can each contribute to the spirit and quality of life in our church: Help with kitchen hospitality. Volunteer to help with Chalice Children. Be a greeter Sunday mornings. Join a covenant group. Help with Service Auction, Social Justice, the Choir or any of the many groups that come together to create this church community. Wherever you choose to participate, bring a friend. The more of us coming together to build this community, the more power we will have to nurture our spirits and heal our world.
Yours in Faith,
Don Hayward
President, Board of Trustees
A suggestion to describe our vision is on display in the Foyer lobby. Share your feedback to Judy Gutierrez, Membership Coordinator, or the Communications team.
First Jefferson Unitarian Universalist Church Nurtures the Spirit. Celebrates Diversity.
Frees the Intellect. Heals our World.
A big thank you to Bill Maginnis and Richard Marshall for maintaining and beautifying our lovely church. Waxing the sanctuary and foyer floor and painting the sanctuary are thanks to:
Bill Maginnis, Richard Marshall, Mark Maginnis, Patrick Gutierrez, Judy Gutierrez, Glenn Bowie, Lewis Morris, Roy Redman, Jean Bruttell, Brian Cox, Cass Bartol, Mary Kirwin, Tina Harmuth, Julie Tribble, Dan Tribble, Joe Chambers and Randy Gregory.We had another successful all-church clean-up on Saturday, July 17, with fellowship and service to the church (and cinnamon rolls). Our church relies on volunteers and a detailed monthly clean-up to remain beautiful and welcoming. Thanks for helping this month:
Jean Bruttell, Brian Cox, Richard Marshall, Bill Maginnis, Jane Maute, Mary Kirwin, Judy Gutierrez, and Kevin Boynton.The Courier is online but if you would like a paper copy mailed to your home just let Judy Gutierrez at 682-365-4918 or
membershipcoord@firstjefferson.org know. Paper copies, of course, are available in the front lobby.
Eloise McCauley Horton, born July 14th, is 6 pounds 10 oz and 19 inches long. Aunt Deedee Horton writes about her sister's newborn, "She's a stunner, folks!" Mother, Parish Horton, and baby are doing well.
Paulette Holland is recovering from hip surgery and is having physical therapy at the Renaissance Park Multicare, 4252 Bryant Irvin Road, Benbrook, TX 76109, (817) 738-2975. Paulette’s room phone number is (817) 840-9844. She is in physical therapy during the day but could have visitors in the early evening. Calls would also be appreciated. She will probably be there at least another week. It is still best to send cards to her daughter, Sheri Holland Hightower.
Mary Kirwin asks that we keep her beloved Aunt Ristie in our circle of concern. She was diagnosed with metastatic bone cancer right after her 86th birthday on July 4.
Cassandra Bartol and Thomas McQueen are pleased to announce their engagement. Tom and Cass met February 2006. They are both students at the University of Texas at Arlington. The happy couple is plans a 2011 fall wedding.
Congratulations to Andre Ponochevny! Our former pianist and friend has been chosen as a finalist in the New Orleans International Piano Competition.
Channel 11 recently did a small feature on the Redman Organ Company and Roy Redman. If you would like to see it; the link is: http://www.cbs11tv.com/video?id=55933 @ktvt.dayport.com
WELCOME Thea Chambers and Gail Rowntree as our new Co-Chairs of First Jefferson’s Caring and Sharing Committee, effective June 20, 2010. I know they will both do a wonderful job.
Thank you all so very much for helping with the Caring and Sharing Committee's activities during my term as the Committee's Chair. As you can see below, we were very active. Your generous responses to the needs of our congregation very much contributed to making our church the kind and caring place that it is.
Marian Wendel, Chair
Caring and Sharing Committee,
2009-2010
Cards
84 cards sent by 17 people
Visits Made
10 visits made by 9 people
Telephone Calls
16 phone calls by 6 people
Home Repairs for the Homebound
Various repairs for 2 homebound people
Meals Taken
4 meals taken by 4 people
Monthly Transportation to Church
Provided by 4 people
Marian Wendel
reported for the committee to the weekly church email, Order of Service Insert, and monthly Courier; arranged companionship by telephone for homebound, delivered a wheelchair and was the committee representative to the Connections Team monthly meetings.Thea Chambers, Gail Rowntree, and Richard Marshall
substituted for Marian Wendel when she was out-of town or unavailable.Help Us Plan for You: Complete Our Survey
The Adult Religious Education Committee wants to know how we can best help you and your family experience and grow in Unitarian Universalist identity, spiritual growth, a transforming faith and vital community of justice and love. Please let us know the religious education and faith development courses that most interest you. The survey included in the Courier covers both existing as well as new opportunities. Please take the time to complete this survey. Email Judy Gutierrez or drop in the office in box.
Diversity
Mark Your Calendars for Building the World We Dream About, beginning Sunday morning, September 5th. More than just a series of workshops on racism and diversity, BTWWDA is about "walking the talk" of Unitarian Universalism. It is a transformative process that will guide us as we shape our congregation into the church we dream about. Plan now to attend this important series of workshops.
Bible Workbench (is for everyone!)
Join us Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in the Library. This Bible Study is a non-doctrinal weekly Bible reading with supplementary material designed to help the story come alive and help make connections with our daily and inner life. The group is a great resource for progressives (and other open-minded folks) developing a deeper understanding of the foundations of Judaism and Christianity (from which UU is derived). You don't have to 'read in advance', but here are the texts we will discuss:
Adult Forum
Mary Cathcart on service organization Heifer International. Fort Worth Councilman Joel Burns will speak, with a Q&A to follow. We will continue with the second part of the DVD "The Journey of Man." Our member Brenda Jones will talk about what yoga is.Aug 29:
Topic to be decidedThe Book Discussion Group meets on the fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Jagger's Parlor. Do you enjoy reading fiction and non-fiction, classics and contemporary, a variety of topics and authors? Come to the First Jefferson Book Discussion Group. Come, and suggest some or your favorites or that book you have been meaning to read, but just haven’t gotten around to. We would love to have new members join us. Contact Gail Rowntree for more information. Aug 24th is Enrique’s Journey, by Sonia Nazaro.
Music Within
After losing his hearing as a soldier during the Vietnam War, Richard Pimentel returns to America where he falls in with an unlikely circle of friends and finds a new calling as a spokesman for the disabled. This inspiring and entertaining true story won an award at the 2007 AFI Dallas International Film Festival.
Children and Youth Religious Education
After a summer break child and youth religious education soon starts again! Open house is September 5th at 9:45 am. Parents, bring your children and stay with us. We will celebrate the Feast for All Good Children with cake and symbolic bringing together of the community. We briefly introduce our religious education program, how Sunday mornings work, and opportunities and fun activities that occur throughout the year. Then, you will have an opportunity to meet your child’s teachers, learn about the curriculum, and see the classroom.
All Classes start Sunday, September 12 at 9:45 am.
Service Participation
Many thanks to our children and youth who contribute to our community by participating in worship services! Our youth participants for the month of July included Bella Harmuth, Glenn Bailey, Laura Gregory, Katie Costello, Seri Sandoval, Miranda Bruttell, Lauren Cox, Jaden Cox, Sebastian Cox and Brendan Lawson.
Teacher Training
We have several wonderful opportunities for our child/youth religious education teachers to gain valuable insight into leading classes. One of these is the North Texas Association of UU Churches (NTAUUs) teacher training that occurs each year at First Unitarian Church in Dallas. Always educational and enjoyable, this year’s NTAUUS training is Saturday, August 21, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm featuring District Executive, The Rev. Susan Smith, and District Lifespan Faith Development coordinator and First Jefferson member, Jennifer Nichols. If interested in teaching this fall, call before you miss out on this excellent training opportunity. Contact Tammy Hayward at 817/423-4392 or
thayward@theyawards.orgChalice Children Teachers Needed
We still need volunteers. This is a wonderful opportunity to work with children of varying ages in a relaxed setting. Chalice Children volunteers supervise children ages 4-8 who leave worship service after the Story for All Ages. If interested, contact Tammy Hayward.
What Do We Teach In Children’s RE?
A Holiday Every Week
Our religious education class for 3rd and 4th graders this year truly is a celebration. In Unitarian Universalist curriculum Holidays and Holy Days our children celebrate a different holiday each Sunday. In these lessons, the class discusses the history and significance of the holiday, may taste foods, create crafts, sing songs or learn dances. Exposure to other religions helps children understand different religious practices. More abstractly, we explore the relationship between religious underpinnings of these celebrations and Unitarian Universalist principles. We have taught this curriculum many times, and both youth and teachers remember it as one of their favorites. Above all else, this will be fun!
Calling All 5th, 6th and 7th Graders
We are introducing a vibrant new curriculum for our 5th -7th grade class called You the Creator. Each one of us can and should be one of the creative forces in the world. In this class, through drawing, sculpting, role play and design we explore spirituality and become more connected. This is an activity based class! We will move and create as we explore Unitarian Universalist values and through our artistic expressions demonstrate the inherent worth, dignity and individuality of each of us.
August 28 7 p.m.
There are lots of ways to help. If you like making decorations or posters, we need you. If you don’t mind moving furniture, we could use you to help make the sanctuary a party spot Saturday night and a worship space again come Sunday morning for the ingathering Water Ceremony. And if you’ve got ideas for what would make a party really fun at First Jeff, you’ve just got to share!
Party planners and volunteers, contact
Jean Bruttell (817-788-5978), Michelle Youngblood or Mary Costello. Musicians, contact Brian Cox, (817-909-7868,
jb-cox@sbcglobal.net)November 6
Mark your calendars! Our annual Service Auction is First Jefferson’s largest fundraising event of the year – and also one of our largest social gatherings.
Next Sunday (August 1st) we will have volunteer sign-up sheets and donation forms at the ready. Be thinking about what you will do to make the auction happen or what items or services you’ll donate. Our friendly "counselors" will help you choose a volunteer position that’s right for you…they can also help you brainstorm donations ideas.
FOOD + FUN + FELLOWSHIP = FISCAL HEALTH
Donation and Volunteer Ideas
Donate a service (personal or professional):
Example: piano lessons; tax preparation; software training; etc…
Donate merchandise:
Tickets to concerts, theatre, sports, museums, etc…, restaurant gift cards, artwork, jewelry (handmade or store bought), themed gift baskets, vacation time at your lake house, etc…
Volunteers opportunities:
Be on the Service Auction Committee. Sell tickets. Solicit gifts from merchants (forms will be provided). Set up the auction. Call on members to solicit donations. Serve dinner . Provide childcare. Clean up…and more!
The women of First Jefferson Unitarian Universalist Church and of Westside Unitarian Universalist Church are cordially invited to attend a merged Alliance. We meet on second Tuesdays for friendship, inspiration and adventure. We have service projects for our churches, and for the larger community. Our programs in 2010-2011 are:
Sept 14:
"Getting to Know You" Potluck at church. Westside UUC women will be invited to all our future meetings, and we will focus on getting to know each other. Hostesses: Gail Rowntree/Vicki BallOct 12
: TRIP to Japanese Gardens. Lunch at Gardens Restaurant. Hostess: Diane FeldmanNov 9
: Potluck at church. Speaker Leslie Gordon, local author of children's books and a column in the Handley Herald. Hostesses: Marianne Herrmann/Marjorie MontgomeryDec 14
: Potluck at church. Speaker Rev. Jennifer Innis. Bring one gift to exchange. Hostesses: Diane Feldman/Gail Rowntree.Jan 11:
TRIP to a Museum. Restaurant nearby. Hostess Marjorie MontgomeryFeb 8:
Potluck at Church. "Jokes we know and love" and a sing-along with Marjorie on Uke. Hostess; Lorraine LevineMarch 8:
Potluck at church. Speaker Michelle Youngblood on a famous woman. March is women's history month.April 12:
TRIP and tour of Cowboy Stadium. Lunch nearby.May 10:
TRIP to OMNI Theater at Museum of Science and History. Lunch nearby. Add some time for exhibits? (movies are only 45 min). Hostess Peggy Portman.June 14:
Potluck at church. Plan program for the next year. Choose Treasurer and Coordinator. Hostesses: everybody helps either set-up or clean-up.Contact our Coordinators if you have any questions or to volunteer for empty slots above. Karen Burkett m.k.burkett@att.net or Peggy Portman
pegportman@aol.comEvensong
Contact Julie Hevelone for Location/Time; meets monthly.Men’s Covenant Group
Contact Sloan Clark for Location/time; meets monthly.Friends Covenant Group
Meets monthly pm on the third Friday @ First Jeff 5 pm.Wonderful Wednesdays Taking a Break?
I hear from friends and church members they want Wednesday meals, classes and childcare, but serving the meals requires volunteers with early evening availability. It seems that right now there are not enough of us available in the early evening to do the meal service. Wonderful Wednesdays will not resume in September but could return once more teams of two volunteer to set meals before 5:00 pm on Wednesdays and stay after to coordinate clean-up. If interested in this ministry to the church community, contact Jean Bruttell, 817-788-5978.
Rev. Jennifer Innis
972-639-7900
minister@firstjefferson.orgMinister Emerita
Rev. Marjorie Montgomery
Religious Education
Position Open
dre@firstjefferson.orgReligious Education Membership Coordinator
Judy Gutierrez
682-365-4918
membershipcoord @firstjefferson.orgFinancial Secretary
Andrew Pierce 817-346-0727
bookeeping @firstjefferson.orgPresident
Don Hayward817-423-4392
president@firstjefferson.orgIssue #289 Submission Date
Please send all Courier articles by e-mail to mejeffrey@gmail.com and fjuuc@usa.net by 7:00 pm on the Courier submission date.
