1. religion and spirituality

HIGHLIGHTS
UnitarianUniversalistChurchofAnnapolis
Volume58,Issue1
Welcome
—anexcerptfroma11/24/14blog
byRev.ChristinaLeoneTracy
January2015
InThisIssue:
p.3
...Wetryhardtobewelcoming…Welikediversity,wethinkit’sgood FromtheBoard
forpeopletohavedifferentbeliefs(alargenumberofourmembers
UpcomingServices p.4
areatheists,andalargenumberbelieveinGod,oradheretoDeism,
FaithDevelopmentNews p.5
Earth-centeredspirituality,etc.),ordifferentculturalin:luences,or
InclementWeatherPolicy p.6
differentgenderexpressionsorsexualorientations.Thesethings
makeusricher!WearelookingfortheCOREoftheperson…notjust
JanuaryEvents
p.8
theirtrappings.Andwearewelcomingthatcore.
JanuaryCalendar p.9
Sowhatdoesthatmeanwhenpeoplecomeintoourspacewho
differfromUnitarianUniversalistsinCOREways?Whatarethosecore 2015OutreachCollections
p.10
waysthatwouldbetoodifferentforthemtobewelcome?
ThisisagoodarticlefromtheUUWorldmagazineaboutthisquestion: InclementWeatherPolicy p.10
“AllAreWelcome,toaPoint.”
StaffContacts
p.12
Thearticletalksabouthowpro-lifeprotestersenteredaUU
worshipservicesanctuary,anddisruptedtheserviceindisrespectful
NextHighlightsDeadline:
ways.Theministertheresaidthosepeoplewerenotwelcome.Those
January15
peoplearewelcometotheirbeliefs,nothinginourUUtheologyis
highlights@uuannapolis.org
explicitlypro-choice(it’s:inetobeapro-lifeUU),butyoumaynot
activelydisruptcommunalworship.That’snotwelcome.
Sowhat’stheCORE–whatdowesaymustbethereinorderfor
ThearticlefromtheUUWorld
someonetobewelcome?TobeapartofaUUcommunity,itdoesn’t
saysthis,andIagree…
matterwhatyouwear,whatyoubelieveaboutGod,yourgender
WhathappenedonJuly20at
expressionorsexualorientation,whatkindofmusicyoulistento,or
FirstUUChurchofNewOrleans
yourphysicalandintellectualabilities…Butitdoesmatterifyou
showswhywefeelsouncomfortahave…
ble—whywemayfeelscaredto
-Respectforothers
admitthat,infact,not‘allare
-Willingnesstolearnfromoneanotherandlifeexperience
welcome’inourchurches.Because
-Supportive,generousspirittohelpothers
onceyoutakeaclearstandon
-Lovingheart
something,otherswilldisagree;
Sowhatdoesthatexclude?
theymayattack.Butwearea
-Disrespect
strongpeople.Wehaveresources
-Unwillingtoexaminetheirbeliefs(fundamentalistsofanytheology)
tohelpusrespondtosuchattacks
-Miserly,orsel:ishattitudes
withgrace,wisdom,andcompas-Hate
sion.Wehavetheresourcesand
Youmightsayweare“intolerantofintolerance.”That’sok.Wedo
wisdomtosay,withrespect,‘You
haveboundaries.Wecanstillaf:irmtheworthanddignityofpeople
arewelcometoyourbeliefsand
whoarefundamentalist—theystillwerebornwithOriginalBlessing
behaviors.Nowpleasetakethem
andhaveworthashumanbeings,equalamongallhumanbeings.But
outsidethethresholdofour
itdoesn’tmeanwehavetowelcomethemintoourcommunitiesif
church.
they’reunwillingtoexplore,orespousehatefulbeliefsaboutothers.
(con’t)
WHOWEARE
AND
WHATWEBELIEVE
AttheUnitarianUniversalist
ChurchofAnnapolis,weare
seekersofthetruth.
Weinviteallpersonsof
everyfaith,creed,cultureand
backgroundtoengageina
searchfortruthwithus.We
believeinthedignityandworth
ofeveryhumanbeingandin
freedomofexpression.We
welcomeandcelebrateall
people,betheystraight,gay,
lesbian,bisexualortransgender.
Wearecommittedtothis
churchasaninstitution,to
socialjustice,toliberalreligious
explorationandeducationfor
allages,tomutualcaringand
support,andtothevalueof
diversity.
Westrivetocareabout
eachotherandthehealthofour
communityandtheworld.We
areanenvironmentally
sensitive,“green”community.
Thischurchisaplaceof
safetyforeachperson’smind,
bodyandspirit.Towardthat
end,wecovenanttoaf:irmand
promote:Honestyand
authenticityinour
relationships;wordsthatare
supportiveandcaring,not
belittlingordemeaning;a
welcomingandnon-judgmental
attitude;respectforeach
person’sboundariesofmind,
bodyandspirit;andlisteningto
oneanother.
Inordertoservethe
congregationandthegreater
community,wealsostriveto
createanenvironmentthat
challenges,inspires,encourages
andsupportsthequestfor
religiousful:illment.
Pleasejoinus!
2
“New”GreenSanctuaryTeam
—PaulJorgensen
ThenewGreenSanctuaryteammetonSaturday,
December6.Wediscussedourgoals,andagreedthat
thefollowingwouldbetheprioritiesoftheteamas
wemoveforwardgivenourlimitedreources:Climate
Change,StormWaterManagementandWaterShed
Monitoring,InstallationofSolarPVSystem,aSpring“Green”Fair,
GreenSanctuaryRe-Certi:ication,indigenousplantingonthe
churchgrounds,LEEDCerti:icationofthechurchasLEEDSilver
forO&M,andethicaleating.Wealsoagreedthatweneedtobe
moreintentionalwithregardtocommunicatingourideasand
accomplishmentstothechurchmembership.
Ofspecialimportanceisthefactthat,onNovember2,2014,the
UNissuedaSynthesisReportreleasedbytheIntergovernmental
PanelonClimateChange(IPCC).Amongotherconclusionsitsaid:
“Humanin:luenceontheclimatesystemisclearandgrowing,with
impactsobservedonallcontinents.Ifleftunchecked,climate
changewillincreasethelikelihoodofsevere,pervasiveand
irreversibleimpactsforpeopleandecosystems.”
Sowhatcanwedo?Setanexampleandhelptochangethe
tippingpointofpublicopinionandawareness.Pleasedoyour
sharetospeakoutaboutyouropinionifwewanttoavoid
cataclysmicchangesintheworldasweknowit,forourchildren
andgrandchildrenandmanyfuturegenerations.Pleaseconsider
joiningus!ThenextmeetingisJanuary10at9:00AM.
Clickthefollowinglinksforsomearticlesyoumay:indinteresting:
IPCC
UNClimateChange
WelcomeNewMembers
IPCCforPolicymakers
TheGuardian
UUCAwouldliketowelcome
thefollowingnewmembers,
IMPORTANTTAXNOTICE:To
ensurethedeductibilityofyour whosignedtheMembership
churchcontributions,donot:ile Book(andcompletedall
membershiprequirements)
your2014
onDecember14,2014:
incometax
returnuntil
youhave
receiveda
written
acknowledgmentofyour
contributionsfromthechurch.
Someofyourcontributionsmay
notbetax-deductibleifyou:ile
yourtaxreturnbeforereceiving
athisacknowledgement.Annual
GivingStatementswillbe
mailedbyJanuary31. CharlotteJ.Rich
SherriCalvo DanielSherlock
www.uuannapolis.org;410/266-8044
QuestionsorcommentsfortheBoard?
ContactLarryWerner,BoardSecretary
atboard@uuannapolis.org.
FROM THE BOARD
OF TRUSTEES...
The2014TriennialMinistryReviewis:inalizedandpostedontheUUCAwebsite.Itislocatedonthe
samepageastheBoardmeetingminutes(www.uuannapolis.org/board-meeting-minutes);however,
thispageispasswordprotected.Pleasefollowdirectionslistedintheboxatthebottomofthispagein
ordertoobtainapassword.Therearealsoseveralcopiesprintedandavailabletoreadinthelibrary.
TheMinistryReviewCommitteewishestothankthecongregationforparticipatinginthis
survey.Itwasabitlongerandtookmoretimeto:illoutthantheprevioussurveyandweappreciate
yourtimeandeffortindoingso.The2014TriennialMinistryReviewSurveywastakeninApril2014by
222people.Thisisanoutstandingresponsetoasurveyforacongregationof430-plusmembers.The
20-pageMinistryReviewReportsummarizestheresponsesprovidedbythecongregationaswellas
datagatheredfromcongregantandstaffinterviewsandinputfromvariousChurchcommittees.The
appendixincludesall139surveyquestionswiththeresponseslistedbypercentages.Individual
commentsarenotincludedintheappendix,however,somewereincludedinthewrittenreport.
The2014MinistryReviewCommitteeofLarryWerner,PaulJorgensen,andCherylWisewishesto
thanktheBoardofTrusteesandespeciallyRev.Muirforprovidingustheopportunitytoserveour
congregationinthismanner.Itwasaninformative,challenging,andrewardingexperience.Wewould
alsoliketothankKenApfelandGaryChristopher,fromtheprevioussurveycommittee,fortheir
guidance,mentorship,andcounsel.
Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutthesurveyorresponses,feelfreetocontactsomeonefromthe
MinistryReviewCommittee.
*ToviewBoardDocumentsonline:
Boarditemsarestoredonaspecialpassword-protectedpageofour
website.Togainaccess,youmustcontacttheChurchOf:iceandrequest
thepassword.Pleasenote:thisisNOTyourACSAccesspassword.
UUCA2015Fundraising—DeepRootsLivingBranches
MeetMauryMarks:YourJanuaryCanvassCaptain
Iaminvolvedwithboth;inancesandpastoralcarebecauseIknowthroughpersonalexperiencehow
importantitistocareforeachotherinourchurchcommunity.InMay1967,mywifeBevsufferedaspinal
cordinjuryinanautoaccidentresultinginpermanentparalysisofherbodybelowmid-chest.Shewasinthe
hospitalforsixmonths.Ourtwosonswereonly5and7yearsold.Ourneedsweregreat-physically,
emotionally,andpractically.UUCArespondedincountlesswaystohelpusgetthroughthismostdif;icultand
challengingexperience.Theminister,BillBarnett,wasespeciallyhelpfultobothofusviacounselingandjust
friendship.Ayoungwomanwhowashomefromcollegeforthesummerofferedtoserveasanannyand
housekeeperformeuntilIcouldmakepermanentarrangements.ChurchmembersvisitedBevatthe
hospitalonarotatingbasissothatvisitswerespacedout.Whenshecamehome,otherfolkstransportedher
forvarioustherapiesanddoctorvisits.Achurchmemberofferedherajobathisof;icethatshecould
performfromherwheelchair.Thereweremanyotherkindnessesshowntousbythechurchcommunity.
IcanneverforgetthehelpthatwereceivedfromthebelovedcommunityoftheUUCA.Workingonthe
PastoralCareTeamandtheFinanceCommitteeismywayofgivingbacktothiswonderfulorganization
thatmadesuchatremendousdifferenceinbothofourliveswhenitwasneededmost.
Every member of UUCA makes a :inancial commitment each year to support the operations,
programs, ministry, and future of the UUCA community. If you are part of the Januarygroup for the
pledge canvass, please return your pledge form upon receipt and feel free to contact Maury at
mimarks1@verizon.net with any questions. Thank you for your :inancial support!
HIGHLIGHTS
January2015
3
SUNDAY WORSHIP
AT UUCA
Sunday,January4:
“WheelofLife”
Rev.FredMuir
Comeforthisyearlytradition,
markingmilestoneswithinthe
UUCAcommunity.
MusicbytheUUCAChoir.
Sunday,January11:
“BelovedCommunityLab”
Rev.ChristinaLeoneTracy
Rememberinschool,those
classeswithalectureportion
andalabportion?Ifchurchis
wherewecreatetheBeloved
Community,weneeda
practicalskillslab!Let's
explorethatideatogether.
January’sTheme:Justice
Sunday,January25:
January4: It’stheLittle
“MaybeICanLive
Things-Howcanwetransform
ThatLong,Too”
“micro-aggressions”to“micro–
Rev.FredMuir
justice-making”?Whatsmall
dailyactscanwecommitto
Comelearnmoreaboutthe
doingtopromotejustice?Join
personwhoutteredthese
usaswesharesmallbut
words:"MaybeIcanlivethat
signi:icantwaystobejusticelong,too."Unknowntomost
seekers.
duringtheCivilRightsera,her
actionsgavedirectiontoa
January11:Faith&Justicefor
movementthatwould
All-Justiceandfaithintersect
eventuallybringthousandsto
inmanyways.Let’slookat
Selma-notjustonce,but
whatwecanlearnfrom
severaltimes-andchangethe
religiousjusticeseekers
courseofU.S.history,ahistory
throughouttheagesfromJesus
stillbeingwrittentoday.
totheDalaiLamaandthemany
inbetween.
MusicbytheSpiritSingers.
ORDEROFSERVICE
COVERCONTEST*
MusicbySaraJones.
Callingallartists!
Adults!Youth!Children!
Sunday,January18:
“HandsUp!Don’tShoot!
ICan’tBreathe!”
Rev.JohnCrestwell
Whatisgoingon?Isthisa
policeproblemortheproblem
ofpeoplewhoresist
authority?Isitbothoristhere
moregoingon?Wheredowe
gofromhere?Rev.Johnwill
givehisthoughtsonthe
protests,angerandapathy
seeninAmericanstreets,
courtroomsandpolice
precinctsoverthelastfew
months.
WewantYOUtodesigntheorder
ofservicecoverforFebruary!
Depictwhat“Diversity”meansto
you,andturntheentryforminto
theof:icebyJanuary25.Winning
artwillbedisplayedonthecover
fortheentiremonth.Entryforms
arelocatedinthenarthexandin
IntheKnow.
MusicbytheUUCAChoir.
Podcastsofweeklysermons
areavailableonlineat
www.uucamd.libsyn.com.
4
JanuaryAWAKEServices
January18:BeyondtheDream
WewillexamineDr.Martin
LutherKingJr.’slegacyof
justicebeyondthememesand
quotesandfamousspeeches.
Let’sexplorewhatDr.King’s
visionofjusticehastoteachus
today.
January25:AlliesforJustice
Often,weareputinsituations
whereweseeinjusticebeing
perpetratedonagroupwith
whichwedonotidentify.How
canwestandwithmarginalized
groupswithoutstandingforthe
group?Let’sexaminethe
spiritualsideofbeinganally.
www.uuannapolis.org; 410/266-8044
FAITH DEVELOPMENT NEWS...
Rev.ChristinaLeoneTracy
FaithDevelopmentMinister
ComingofAgeFundraiserforFamilyGiving
Thisyear,theComingofAge8thgradeclassdidanewthing...They
oftenfund-raisefortheirtriptoBoston,butthisyeartheydecidedtohave
afundraisertohelpothers.Inthefalltheyheldayardsale,workingover
twodaystosellUUCA'sdonatedstuffandtheyraisedover$1000!They
thenspent$700andanotherdaypurchasingandwrappinggiftsfor:ive
childrenthroughtheFamilyTreeprogram.Anothercoupledonatedgifts
forthechildren'smom.Inadditiontothispileofgifts,theCOAyouthalso
boughta$200Targetgiftcardsothemomcanbuyfoodorotherthings
herfamilyneeds.Waytogo,COAYouth!Yourhardwork,time,and
generosityofspiritarejustwhatourworldneeds.[Seephotoatright]
StoneSoup
OnSunday,December7,wecelebratedourbiggestmulti-generational
eventoftheyear-StoneSoup!Itwasincrediblyjoyful,festive,anddiverse
intheages,cultures,andcommunitiesrepresented.Over160people--
adults,teens,andkids--fromtheUUCAcommunity,AWAKE,andfriends
andneighbors,allcametogethertowarmthemselvesintheholidayspirit.
ThankssomuchtoEliseBerrocalforherleadershipinrecruiting
amazingvolunteersupport.MicheleReeseorganizedincredible,fun,and
diverseornamentcrafts,andmadeabeautifulwreathofhandcutoutsfrom
everyoneinattendance.SpecialthankstoAnitaRamundo,JessyOberright,
CharlotteWallaceandherdaughtersEllaandSimmoneforhelpinginthe
craftroom.MarcGioglioandAngeliqueBerry(andtheirdaughtersJasper
andKeylla)helpedsetupafterthemorningservices.BetsyKraning
coordinatedtheUUCAOrchestraduringthepreviousfourSundayMiddle
Hours,andtheysoundedamazing!TheSpiritSingersteamedupwithRev.
JohnandJoshLongtosingafewtunes,andBetsyledthecrowdina
holidaysing-a-long...Therewasmuchmusicandjollinesstobehad.The
foodwasincredible--lotsofsidedishes,desserts,bread,andofcourse,
SOUP!JaneBurns,andStanRobbinswithhelpfromJimRoman,laboredat
churchallmorningtomakedelicioussoupstoshare,andLisaFleeharty
andLindseyGillbroughtsoupfromhome.EliseandShelleyNituama
servedasgreeters.TheYRUUyouth,ledbyPaulBerry,WendiWinters,
JohnBalano,andSharonRunge,broughtusoursanctuarytreetobe
decorated.TheyfoundthetreeatFriendshipFarm,blessedit,andcutit
downtodeckourhalls.Aftersettingupthetree,theteenshungaroundthe
churchtohelpwithvarioustasks,cutbread,helpoutinthecraftroom,and
servesoup.Wehaveamazingteenagers,thankyou!Thankyoutoeveryone
whohelpedout.
LastyearwewereunabletohaveStoneSoupduetotheweekendfalling
thesametimeasThanksgiving,butthisyearwewerebackandfullof
spirit.Itwasajoytowitnessourcommunityinaction,andIlookforward
toourothermulti-generationalevents(February7-DancingontheSideof
Love,April10-PassoverSeder,May16-Cabaret)!
Withloveandgratitude,
REMINDERS:
Jan. 11–COA/YRUUIceSkating;
OWLParentOrientationPt.II;
NeighboringFaithsMethodist
visit
Jan. 25–NeighboringFaiths
Quakervisit;COACraft-making
Day
CHILD CARE THIS MONTH:
1/4:Storytelling-PatGuyton
9:00;MicheleReese11:15
1/11:Caveman-CliffAndrew
1/18:“KnowYourDrink”CharlotteWallace
1/25:TBA
MIDDLEHOUR(ADULTS):
1/4:Selmadiscussion;Emotional
Literacy;SundayBookClub;
AdultNeighboringFaithsProtestants;‘GoingDeeper’
1/11:BoardofTrustees;Selma
discussion;Haiku;‘GoingDeeper’
1/18:JusticeMusic;AdultNeighboringFaiths-Quakers;Winter
NewMemberReunion;Theology
ofMLKJr.
1/25:Dancing;Our7Principles;
Haiku;‘GoingDeeper’
Rev. Christina
HIGHLIGHTS
Giftspurchasedandwrappedby
theCOAyouthfortheFamilyTree
program.Waytogo!!
January2015
5
“WeEatCake&SpeakofDeath!”InDeathCaféIV[inMiddleHour]
--PhyllisCulham
AbouttwentypeoplegatheredatthreetablesintheREsanctuaryfortheMindfulnessPractice
Group’s:irstmorningsessioninthisseries:DeathCaféIV:DeathHasBrunch.Wescrupulously
observedtheprotocolsoftheInternationalDeathCafé Movementwhichauthorizesour
operationfromLondon.Foremostamongthoseistheprovisionofcake...Wedispensedwiththe
:lamboyantlydecoratedDeathCakesoftheeveningsessionsandgotcakedonutholes.There
werenocomplaintsandmanytripstothesnacktable.(Gluten-freealternativealsooffered.)Our
attemptathilarityviatabledecorationwasn’tevenneeded(seephoto).Gaietyabounded.
OralinstructionsatthestartalsofolloweddirectivesfromLondon:1)Wespeakofdeath.2)
WhatissaidinDeathCafé staysinDeathCafé 3)Nooneshouldtrytoconvertanyoneelsetoany
religious,philosophical,orpoliticalposition.4)Everyoneshouldbeheardfromwithequalrespect.Eachtable
begandiscussionwitheachpersonintroducinghim/herselfinturnandstatewhys/hehadcometoDeath
Café ...thatofferedmorethanenoughmaterialtodiscussforoveranhour.Wesufferedfromnoisepreviously
notedonevaluationsheetsastheonlyblackmark:tablestalksoexcitedlythattheyinterferewithother
tables10ft.away!
TheCafé ’wassowell-receivedthatmostdidnotwanttoleave!Afterbribingsomewithextradonutholes,
weendedourtimeintheREsanctuarywithhugs.Wealsoaskedparticipantstogoroundeachtableandhave
everyonestatewhats/hewastakingawayastheyleftDeathCafé .ManyaskedformoreDeathCafé s;another
isscheduledforMiddleHour,December28.
ThankstoUUCAmembersandsangha-friendswhowereTableHosts:JerryKursban,KristineSteinkoenig,
&RayWatkins(whoalsosuppliedthegluten-freetreats).
2014EndowmentGrants
—AlPulsifer
TheEndowmentBoardsupportednineprojectsin2014.Theamountcommittedtotaled$29,992.Thefunded
projectswere:
-LightHouseShelter,BuildingEmploymentSuccessTraining(B.E.S.T.)CateringComponent,$5000.
Allowspeoplewhoarehomeless,orindangerofbecominghomeless,togaintheskillsnecessarytowork
inthehospitalityindustry.
-UNGlobalJusticeCommittee,EmpoweringWomenandTheirFamilies:StartYourBusinessTrainingand
Hand-wovenHandbagTraining,$2992.Grantsupportedtwotrainingprogramsforwomeninthe
Philippines.
-UULM-MD,ModernizingUULM-MDCommunicationsforGrowthandEffectiveness,$5000.Projectwill
allowforacomprehensivecommunicationstrategyforUULM-MD.
-CreatingCommunities,ArtsAmbassadors,$3000.Weeklysessionswith12to15youthfromlow-income
familiesinpercussion,danceandvocalmusic.
-YWCAofAnnapolis&AACounty,BedsforArdenHouseResidents,$5000.Fundsfor10mattressandbox
springsetsforArdenHouse,theonlydomesticviolenceemergencyshelterinAnneArundelCounty.
-HospiceoftheChesapeake,DifGicultDecisions:TalkingwithChildrenaboutSuicideLoss,$3000.Funds
wereusedtodesignandprintahandbooktohelpparents,teachersandothercaregiverssupportchildren
afterasuicideloss.
-SPAN,Inc.RecoveryHouseAssistanceProject,$1500.Fundingtoassistindividualsenteringarecovery
houseprogramwiththe:irstweek’srentortoassistwithevictionprevention.
-CarrieKotcho,GroceryReimbursementFundforUUCALightHouseVolunteers,$1000.MoneyforUUCA
volunteerstoprovidethedinnermealattheLightHouse.
-NewtowneCommunityDevelopmentCorporation(DarrelNash),SupportforHomeworkHaven,$3500.
Fundstooperatethisafterschoolprogram,whichservesapproximately25elementaryschoolstudentsfrom
WoodsideGardens.
IfyouwouldlikeinformationonthechurchEndowmentFund,orwouldliketomakeagifttothefund,please
contactAlPulsifer(ajpulsifer@verizon.net).
6
www.uuannapolis.org; 410/266-8044
SMARTRecoveryandMindfulnessMeditation
—Julie Roehm
SMART Recovery is a self-empowering recovery group that encourages people to take charge of their lives
rather than admitting powerlessness and surrendering to a higher power. Rather than identifying the cause
of their addictive behaviors with a disease, participants “want to learn how to control craving, resolve their
underlying issues and move on to ful:illing and purposeful lives. SMART Recovery teaches recovery tools
based on scienti:ic evidence and advocates for choices in recovery.” [Smart Recovery literature, Tom
Horvath]
UUCA is home to a SMART Recovery group. I had the opportunity to visit the group in November from the
Mindfulness Practice Group to talk about mindfulness meditation as one tool for promoting self-empowering
recovery. Mindfulness is the state of being present, in the here and now, and not on our typical treadmill of
mental activity. It is observing and owning each moment, without judgment. I shared with the participants
that a simple :irst step is awareness of the moment as evidenced by the senses. Being mindful does not mean
that we will automatically become calmer. It means that we can see what is real and true in the present
moment, even if our minds are doing mental gymnastics. Mindfulness meditation teaches acceptance of the
present moment just as it is. In order to do that, we have to know what is here, right now and see it without
judging it. This is useful in breaking cycles of regret and loss of hope in recovery, since mindfulness keeps
one in the present moment able to see all the assets available.
Participants experienced a group activity in which they shared what they were aware of in the present
moment over several minutes. Afterwards, there was a short guided meditation centering on moment to
moment awareness. Participants had the opportunity to share the experiences that they had during the
exercises and during the meditation. Judging from participant feedback, the exercise provided a new useful
tool for some people to move forward in their recovery, unhooked from their pasts.
GAINin2014[GreaterAnnapolisInterfaithNetwork]
—Liz Vanden Heuvel
GAIN has had a busy year! In February we sponsored How Parole and Probation Works in AA County with a
panel including Judge Philip Caroom; Lea Green, President of Maryland CURE; and Ruth Ann Ogle, Program
Manager of the Parole and Probation Commission, as well as two former inmates. This program gave us some
degree of insight into how complicated the rules are; how inmates work to obtain parole or probation; how
incredibly dif:icult the lives of former inmates can be. Other presentations from the spring included
Climate Apocalypse: Is It Real? with St. John Martin; and Vincent Leggett, Director of the Annapolis Housing
Authority, led a talk about public housing in Annapolis. [You can also access the recent Capital newspaper
series about this topic, to read what a truly sorry situation public housing can be]. GAIN also sponsored a
showing of the documentary Chasing Ice, which details the reality of the disappearing ice in the arctic region.
Climate Stewards of Greater Annapolis Will Chandler and Wes Jordon led the discussion that followed. We
were also treated to a meal and presentation by the Light House shelter’s catering program, through its job
readiness program BEST.
In October, James Goines of Hope House gave an interesting presentation about treatment for addiction in
Anne Arundel County. Treatment is far too short and in need of additional funding and resources. And, :inally,
GAIN is working on signed petitions for the increase of green energy proposal set to come before the
Maryland General Assembly
Planning is now almost complete for the Interfaith New Year’s Eve Service on December 31 at Eastport
United Methodist Church. Rev. John Crestwell and the AWAKE musicians will be part of the program as will
Phyllis Culham and Bob Ertman of the Mindfulness Practice Group of UUCA. We hope you will join us!
Coming in 2015: We plan to continue with the themes of mass-incarceration and the environment. In
January, we plan to take a look at the problem of re-districting in Anne Arundel County, and for February we
are considering the :ilm Journey of the Universe with a rousing discussion of what this means to all of us.
Meetings are typically the second Thursday of each month at St. John Neumann Church in the Community
Room at 7:00 PM. Come join us!
HIGHLIGHTS
January2015
7
UPCOMING EVENTS
ChurchOf*iceClosedon
January1forNewYear’sDay
YoungAdults– NewYear’s
Potluck on Friday, January2,
5:00-7:00PM.Startthenew
yearbymeetingsomenew
people!Bringadishtoshare!
Contact:WintersGeimer;
wlgeimer@gmail.com.Connect
withYoungAdultsonFacebook.
Nifty50+Potluck-Saturday,
January3,at6:00PM.Please
RSVPandindicatewhatyouare
bringing.
Contact:ClaireMorgen;
cfriday@aol.comtoRSVP.
UUHumanistsarediscussing
JonathanWeiner'sPulitzer
Prize-winningBeakoftheFinch:
AStoryofEvolutioninOurTime.
Monday,January5,joinusat
6:00PMforapotluckinthe
narthexfollowedbydiscussion
ledbyRev.FredMuir.Second
sessiononMonday,January
19,7:00PM. Contact:Cliff
Andrew;neurol@verizon.net.
TheBuildingExpansion
ExploratoryCommittee
(BEEC)willholdinformation
sessionsonJanuary6(7:00
PM)&January8(1:00PM)to
discussoptionsforexpansionof
thenarthexaswellasplansfor
theFahsHouse.Contact:
BEEC@uuannapolis.org.
MatYoga,ledbyDickRoop,
willbeofferedThursdays,5:30
to6:45PMintheRESanctuary.
January8,15,&29.Thiswill
begentleyogawithchairsupportedmodi:ications. Allare
welcome!Contact:DickRoop;
dickroop@verizon.net.
8
Visitouronlinecalendarformore
eventsandschedulinginformation.
“TheArtoftheMazurka”,an
all-ChopinStrathmorepreview
withpianistBrianGanzwillbe
heldSaturday,January10at
7:30PM.Brianwillalsotake
requestsandanswerquestions.
ThisisNOTpartoftheFourth
Fridayseries,sothereareno
tickets;rather,afreewill
offeringwillbetakenduringthe
performance.Allproceedswill
bene:ittheministryofUUCA.
Emotional&Intercultural
CompetencyPracticeGroup
meetsTuesday,January13,
6:30PMinthelibrary.Theaim
ofthegroupistosupportone
anotherinpracticingcommunicationskillsandlanguagethat
promotecompassionand
connectioninpersonal
relationshipsandacross
cultures.Thisisadonationbasedgroup,tosupportAWAKE
ministries.Nochildcare
provided.FacilitatedbyAWAKE
LifeCoachAle’Shiplett.
Contact:Ale’Shiplett;
feymeadowsfarm@gmail.com.
UULM-MDAnnualMeeting–
Saturday,January17,9:00AM
to1:30PM.JoinUUactivists,
electedof:icialsandadvocates
fromacrossthestateaswe
discussandplanforPriority
Issuesthatwillbecoming
beforetheMarylandGeneral
Assemblyin2015.Clickhereto
register.
YoungAdults–MeetforCoffee
&ConversationatBaltimore
Coffee&Tea;Sunday,January
18,1:00PM.Contact:Winters
Geimer;wlgeimer@gmail.com.
ConnectwithYoungAdultson
Facebook.
TheBookClubmeetsTuesday,
January20,at7:00PMwhen
wewillbediscussingIAm
Malala,byMalalaYousafzaiand
ChristinaLamb.Allare
welcomeevenifyouhaven’t
:inishedthebook.Contact:Jean
Gruber;grubers@netzero.com.
“FourthFridays”Concert
SerieswithBrianGanz-Mark
yourcalendarnowfor“From
ViennatoBuenosAires”;an
eveningofclassicalchamber
musicwithJoséMiguelCueto
andNancyRoldánonFriday,
January23at8:00PM.Agreat
starttoayearofphenomenal
performancesin2015!Tickets
$15(atthedooronly)or
purchasea$60seriesticket
goodfor5performances.
OutdoorClub-Saturday,
January31we’llmeetattheRt.
97/Ben:ieldBlvd.Park&Rideat
9:00AMtocarpooltotheBolton
HillsectionofBaltimorefora
2.5milewalk,followedbylunch
atalocalrestaurant.
Contact:EloiseHoyt,
eloisehoyt@verizon.net.
SavetheDate:
JUUSTChange:InspiredFaithEffectiveAction-aworkshop
onSaturday,February21,9:00
AMto4:00PM.LedbyRev.Fred
Muir.Justice-seekingand
justice-makingatUUCA.
2015JPDAssembly—Weaving
theFabricofourFaith:A
TapestryofImpact,Innovation
andInterconnection
April10-11,2015atACE
ConferenceCenterinLafayette
Hill,PA.Markyourcalendar;
planningisunderwaynow!
www.uuannapolis.org; 410/266-8044
Sun
8:30 AM Intro to
Mindfulness
9:00 AM Worship/CC
10:10 AM Middle Hour
11:15 AM Worship/CC
4:00 PM AWAKE
8:30 AM Intro to
Mindfulness
9:00 AM Worship/CC
10:10 AM Middle Hour
11:15 AM Worship/CC
4:00 PM AWAKE
8:30 AM Intro to
Mindfulness
9:00 AM Worship/CC
10:10 AM Middle Hour
11:15 AM Worship/CC
1:00 PM Young Adults
Coffee & Conversation
4:00 PM AWAKE
8:30 AM Intro to
Mindfulness
9:00 AM Worship/CC
10:10 AM Middle Hour
11:15 AM Worship/CC
4:00 PM AWAKE
4
11
18
25
Mon
5
12
6:00 PM UU Humanists
7:30 PM Drum Circle
19
Church Office Closed
7:00 PM UU Humanists
26
Tue
12:00 PM Lunch & Video
Discussion Group
7:00 PM Building
Expansion Exploratory
Information Session
Wed
7
7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal
14
7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal
21
7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal
28
7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal
Thu
5:45 PM Yoga
7:00 PM Mindfulness
Practice Group
7:00 PM Mindfulness
Practice Group
5:45 PM Yoga
7:00 PM Mindfulness
Practice Group
1:00 PM Building
Expansion Exploratory
Information Session
5:45 PM Yoga
7:00 PM Mindfulness
Practice Group
7:00 PM Mindfulness
Practice Group
Church Office Closed
January 2015
6
13
12:00 PM Lunch & Video
Discussion Group
6:30 PM Emotional &
Intercultural Competency
Practice Group
20
12:00 PM Lunch & Video
Discussion Group
7:00 PM Book Club
27
12:00 PM Lunch & Video
Discussion Group
7:30 PM Drum Circle
1
8
15
22
29
Fri
5:00 PM Young Adults
New Years Potluck
7:30 PM Bridge Club
8:00 PM Fourth Friday
Concert
2
9
16
23
30
Sat
3
31
24
17
10
6:00 PM Nifty 50+ potluck
7:30 PM Brian Ganz
Concert
9:00 AM UULM-MD
Annual Meeting
9:00 AM Outdoor Club
9
January2015
HIGHLIGHTS
MUSIC NOTES
BetsyKraning,MusicDirector
UUCAMusicalStaff:
PeterJacobson,UUCAChoirDirector
SaraJones,UUCAChoirAccompanist
JoshuaLong,SpiritSingers&AWAKEMusicMinistriesProfessional
ThankyoutoUUCA’smusiciansandmusicleadersforagreat2014!!
UUCA Choir - 50 members, director Peter Jacobson and accompanist Sara Jones
Spirit Singers - 27 members, co-directors Josh Long, Betsy Kraning, and Ginger Parsons
UUCA Orchestra - 23 members
U3 vocal group - Ashley Fuchs, Karen Thiemeyer, & Laura Flokell
Sacred Harp vocal group - Jan Sprinkel, Phil Tawes, Judy Graham, & Betsy Kraning
Childcare “Joy of the Arts” - with Betsy Kraning, Ray & Kathy Watkins, and Pat Guyton
Middle Hour “Music As A Spiritual Practice” - Josh Long, Peter Jacobson, Betsy Kraning, Pat Guyton, Ray
Watkins, and Sara Jones
Pianists - Al and Ginger Adams, Louise Huddleston, and Nancy Karpeles
Rev. John Crestwell - our singing minister
Thanks to all who listen, sing along, encourage, and support! Together we are helping to build the
Beloved Community through our music. Music is a thread that weaves throughout the life of the church,
connecting us, challenging us, and healing us.
Happy Holidays to all and wishing you a wonderful 2015!
Betsy Kraning
MusicDirector
SECOND SUNDAY OUTREACH COLLECTION
TheDecemberSecondSundayOutreachCollectionraised
$1,818tobene:itourHolidaySharingprogram,whichincludes
HolidaySharingofAnneArundelCountyDept.ofSocialServices,
Adopt-A-BearQueenAnne'sCountyDept.of
SocialServices,TheLightHouseFoodPantry,and
ArundelHouseofHope.
OutreachCollectionsin2015willbecompletedon
amonthlybasis,ratherthanonthesecondSunday
ofthemonthonly.Thismeansthattheplatecollectionforeach
SundaywillbedividedevenlybetweentheOutreach
recipientandUUCA.TherewillbeoneOutreachrecipientper
month;thesehavebeenchosenbythecongregationviaballot
(outof15possibilities,eachindividualwasinstructedtopick12
recipients).Therefore,ifyouplaceacheckintheofferingplate,
besuretoindicatepledgeonthememolineifyouare
contributingtowardyourpledgeamount.Ifyouhaveany
questionsabouttheOutreachCollectionprocessfor2015,contact
DianeGoforth(dsgoforth@aol.com)ortheChurchOf:ice
(mreese@uuannapolis.org).
10
INCLEMENTWEATHERPOLICY
Intheeventofinclementweather,
visitwww.uuannapolis.orgwhere
apop-upboxwillappearwithany
relevantcancellations.
Youcanalsocalltheof:iceat
410-266-8044forarecorded
announcement.Onweekdays,you
shouldcontacttheindividual
responsibleforthemeetingor
eventyouplantoattend.Often,
thosecancellationsaremadeona
case-by-casebasis.Ifyouhave
questionsaboutthepolicy,
contacttheChurchOf:ice.
www.uuannapolis.org;410/266-8044
ONGOING EVENTS
AmnestyInternational:The
AnnapolisChapterofAmnesty
Internationalmeetsonthesecond
Sundayofeachmonthat1:00PMin
theEmersonRoomoftheFahsHouse.
Allareinvited,especiallymembersof
theUUCAcongregationwhobelieve
thatonepersoncanmakeadifference.
Comecheckusout.
BookClub:meetsonthethird
Tuesdayofeachmonthat7:00PMin
thechurchlibrary.ContactJean
Gruber410-216-9575.
BridgeClub:meetsthethirdFriday
eachmonthat7:30PMinthe
EmersonRoomoftheFahsHouse.
ContactAnneHaysforinformation;
annehays1933@gmail.com.
FullCircle:meetsmonthlyat7:00PM
ontheFridaynightclosesttothefull
moon.Anexperientialearth-based
celebrationopentoallwomenover
age18.ContactJodiDelaney;
jodimonkey@verizon.net.
Galleryat333:TheGalleryat333is
openMon.-Thurs.from10:00AMto
3:00PMandSundaysfrom10:00AM
to12:00PM.ContactDebbieBoudra;
dancindebart@comcast.net.
GLBTQGroup:Ifyouidentifyasgay,
lesbian,bisexual,transgender,queer,
orquestioningjoinusforfun,
fellowship,andadvocacy.Contact
Marie;balanceseaker@comcast.net.
IntroductiontoMindfulnessand
Meditation:Beginner-friendly
sessioneverySundayat8:30AMin
theEmersonRoom.Forthosewho
wanttolearnthebasicsofmeditation
andthosewhojustwantanother
opportunitytopracticewithagroup.
ContactPhyllisCulhamat
mpg@uuannapolis.org.
LightHouseShelterMeals:Ifyouare
interestedinhelpingwithmealsfor
theShelter,contactCarrieKotcho;
410-451-1844;ckotcho@verizon.net.
HIGHLIGHTS
MindfulnessPracticeGroup:meets
everyThursdayinthesanctuaryat
7:00PMformeditationanddharma
discussion.ContactPhyllisCulhamat
mpg@uuannapolis.org.
NiftyFifties+:Asocialgroupfor
seniors,thatmeetsperiodicallyfor
dinners,gamenights,andother
outings.ContactClaireMorgenat
cfriday@aol.com.
PartnerChurchMinistry:Based
uponourcommonreligiousprinciples
andideals,thismultigenerational
groupdevelopsandsustainsa
relationshipbetweenUUCAandthe
communitiesofourpartner
congregationsinTransylvania;the
UnitarianChurchofHomorodalmas
(Almas)andtheUnitarianChurchof
Rava.ContactHeatherMillar;
heathermillar@gmail.com.
SpiritSingersOpentoall
musicians!Ledbyco-directorsBetsy
KraningandJoshLong,thisgroup
providesdiverse,intergenerational,
multicultural,contemporarymusic
onceamonthforworshipservices.
ContactBetsyKraning,MusicDirector
atbkraning@uuannapolis.org.
TheTuesdayNoonBrownBag
Lunch&VideoDiscussionGroup:
Meetsweeklymid-Septemberthrough
Mayinthenarthex.Bringyourlunch
toeatduringthehalf-hoursocialtime,
watchthehalf-hourReligionand
Ethicsvideoandjoininthehalf-hour
ofdiscussionafterwarduntil1:30PM.
Allarewelcome.Ledbytheintern
minister.ContactPhilTawes;
pwtawes@aol.com.
YoungAdults:Asocialgroupfor
adultsinthe“twenty-something”age
bracket.ContactWintersGeimerif
youareinterested;
wlgeimer@gmail.com.
UUCACommunityDrumCircle:
Lookingtoconnectwithothersina
spiritualyetvisceralway?Trythe
DrumCircle!Nomusicalexperience
necessary.Meetsonthesecond
Mondayinthesanctuaryandthe
fourthTuesdayintheAngebranndt
room.Bothsessionsbeginat7:30PM.
ContactJimLangstonat
jimlaauu@gmail.com.
UULegislativeMinistryofMD
(UULM-MD):UULM-MDisastatewide
advocacynetworkcomprisedof
individualmembersandaf:iliatedUU
congregations.UULM-MDprovidesa
voiceinlegislativeactionforUUvalues,
principlesandtraditions.UUCA
providesleadership,resourcesand
supporttoUULM-MD.Email
info@uulmmd.orgorcall410-2668044,ext.111.
UUCAOutdoorClub:Weather
permitting,thisclubmeetsmonthlyfor
anoutdoorexcursion.ContactEloise
Hoytat410-768-4932or
eloisehoyt@verizon.net.
UUHumanists:Naturalism-ScienceReason-Wonder-CompassionCommunity-Respect.Bookdiscussions
and:ilmviewingsasannounced.
Meetsthe1stand3rdMondayofthe
monthat6:45PMinthesanctuary.
ContactCliffAndrewat410-404-7170
orneurol@verizon.net.
UUCAUNGlobalJusticeCommittee:
InspiredbyUUprinciples,thisgroup
iscommittedtopeace,freedomand
environmentalresponsibilityandto
social,civil,andeconomicjustice.
ContactBettyCrowleyat410-8979417forlocationsandtimes.
UUCAChoir:meetseveryWednesday
at7:30PMearlySeptemberthrough
May.Newmembersarewelcome.
ContactBetsyKraning;
bkraning@uuannapolis.org.
January2015
11
HIGHLIGHTS
Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis
333 Dubois Rd. Annapolis MD 21401-2123
ReturnServiceRequested
Dated Material; Please deliver by 12/27/14
Next Issue Deadline: 1/15/15
Next Mailing: 1/27/15
PROFESSIONAL, PROGRAM, AND CHURCH STAFF
ChurchOfGiceHours:
Monday–Thursday9:00AMto3:00PM;Sunday9:00AMto12:00PM
ClosedFridayandSaturday
Phone:410-266-8044Fax:410-266-6910
www.uuannapolis.org
Name
Rev. Dr. Fredric J. Muir
Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr.
Rev. Christina Leone Tracy
Patricia Owen
Peter Jacobson
Elizabeth Kraning
Susan Eckert
Michele Reese
Elise Berrocal
Carrie Libowicz
Paul Berry
Joshua Long
Position
Senior Minister
Associate Minister
Faith Development Minister
Intern Minister
Choir Director
Music Director
Administrator
Administrative Assistant
Children’s Ministry Coordinator
Bookkeeper
Youth Advisor
Spirit Choir & AWAKE Music
Ministries Professional
EmailAddress
fmuir@uuannapolis.org
jcrestwell@uuannapolis.org
cleonetracy@uuannapolis.org
powen@uuannapolis.org
pjacobson@uuannapolis.org
bkraning@uuannapolis.org
seckert@uuannapolis.org
mreese@uuannapolis.org
eberrocal@uuannapolis.org
treasurer@uuannapolis.org
pberry@uuannapolis.org
jlong@uuannapolis.org
BoardofTrustees
John Woolums
Michael Willis
Larry Werner
Annie Thornton
Charlie Gross
Ale Shiplett
Linda Rhoads
Jan Bird
President
Vice President
Secretary
Finance Of:icer
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Nominating Committee Chair
board@uuannapolis.org