From Michael at Meyers-Jouan.name Wed Dec 5 23:18:30 2007 From: Michael at Meyers-Jouan.name (Michael S. Meyers-Jouan) Date: Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:18:30 -0500 Subject: [UUCP] Weekly Reader for Wednesday 2007 December 5 to Tuesday December 11 Message-ID: <049e01c837c7$7171c480$6702a8c0@dellbhf8711> Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palisades Weekly Reader for Wednesday 2007 December 5 to Tuesday December 11 Editor: Michael S. Meyers-Jouan UUCP Congregational News Science and Humanist Study Group The next meeting of the Science and Humanist Study Group will be Friday, December 7 at 7:00 pm at the Bellini's - 320 Rutland Avenue in Teaneck. This month's subject is "What is Science," an investigation into the nature of science and the scientific method and the differences between science and non-science. The leader and host for this session will be Steve Ellis - here are some questions for your consideration: . What is science anyway? Is science a kind of faith? . What is a scientific theory? What makes it scientific? . Is there such a thing as a "scientific method"? Is science objective? . Is it possible to prove that a scientific theory is false? . The current issue of the Scientific American has an article about an anthropologist one of whose research interests is investigating whether Sasquatch (Big Foot) exists. Is this a legitimate scientific inquiry? . Are there some questions that should be off limits to science? . Should a public school student whose family's belief system is profoundly unscientific be required to take science classes in school? . Is it really possible that the brain of an animal (us) can understand the workings of the universe? . Is it possible for a non-scientific world view to be internally consistent and consistent with all the facts? Steve indicates the following links for readings on the topic: http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/evolphil/falsify.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method Hard copies of some of the readings may be available by contacting Steve Ellis or Al Stawsky. The location of the session will be announced. RSVPs would be appreciated. (The purpose of the Science and Humanist Study Group is to understand modern Humanist philosophy and explore a Humanist and scientific outlook) UUCP Events Upcoming Sermons December 9 - "Myth and Miracle" - We will begin the celebration of the season of lights with themes drawn from the Hanukah story - Rev. Maj-Britt Johnson December 16 - Winter Solstice Celebration - Lauren Hooker December 23rd - A Christmas service - Rev. Maj-Britt Johnson December 24th - Christmas Eve Service - Rev. Maj-Britt Johnson December 6 film canceled The Social Justice Task Force had to cancel the December 6 film and discussion event due to logistics and outreach problems. We will reschedule in January. UU Events Multicultural evenings Join in the fun at Judy Manton's multicultural evenings in her Tenafly home. There is room for a few more people at these Service Auction events: Share her experiences in the villages of the Ivory Coast on Fri. Dec. 7th at 6:30 p.m. while experiencing an African dinner @$25. Come to your own conclusion about the Venezuelan revolution after hearing of her first hand insights on Sun. Dec. 9th at 6:30 for dinner @20. Contact jhmanton at yahoo.com or +1 (201) 567-6544. General Interest Kimberly K. Gallery 225 Closter Deck Road Closter, NJ 07624 +1 (201) 784-6766 Youngmee04 at Yahoo.com Exhibition: November 24, 2007 to January 5, 2008. Our Judy Bellini will be showing Women for Women International Women in the Congo have been leading very difficult lives - violence, rape, extreme poverty. Now there is a way we can help them, by sponsoring individual women in the Congo and other ravaged nations. Women for Women International allows individuals and groups, for $27 per month, to sponsor individual women - provide money to feed their families, go to school, learn job skills, meet in groups to develop hope and confidence. If you would like to become part of a UUCP group - share the expense and gain the satisfaction of helping a desperate woman and her family - please contact Judy Stiller, Judy Manton, or Svetlana Lisanti. About the Weekly Reader Submit all announcements/notices for publication in the Weekly Reader to WeeklyReader at UUCPalisades.org exactly as you want them to appear by 6:00 PM Wednesday of each week. The editor reserves the right to edit or not print based on the UUCP communication policy. Announcements for services should be submitted in writing to the service coordinator at least 10 minutes before service begins. Service coordinators reserve the right to edit based on the UUCP program policy. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.uuserver.org/pipermail/uucp/attachments/20071206/15f63cb3/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: att129B.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 14136 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.uuserver.org/pipermail/uucp/attachments/20071206/15f63cb3/attachment-0001.jpg From MBStaw at aol.com Fri Dec 7 13:50:45 2007 From: MBStaw at aol.com (MBStaw at aol.com) Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2007 14:50:45 EST Subject: [UUCP] Fwd: Save our Homes Message-ID: The Racial/Social Justice Team is forwarding this NAACP communication to help keep our congregants aware of the fight against a mortgage lending industry that permits predatory loans. You may want to sign the NAACP's Save Our Homes petition or you may want to join the rally on Wall Street on Monday December 10th. **************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.uuserver.org/pipermail/uucp/attachments/20071207/19d4a8b6/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- An embedded message was scrubbed... From: "Dennis Courtland Hayes, NAACP" Subject: Save our Homes Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2007 14:22:04 -0500 (EST) Size: 14284 Url: http://www.uuserver.org/pipermail/uucp/attachments/20071207/19d4a8b6/attachment.mht From MBStaw at aol.com Fri Dec 7 15:02:31 2007 From: MBStaw at aol.com (MBStaw at aol.com) Date: Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:02:31 -0500 Subject: [UUCP] FW: Save our Homes Message-ID: <080101c83914$85404510$6702a8c0@dellbhf8711> The Racial/Social Justice Team is forwarding this NAACP communication to help keep our congregants aware of the fight against a mortgage lending industry that permits predatory loans. You may want to sign the NAACP's Save Our Homes petition or you may want to join the rally on Wall Street on Monday December 10th. -----Original Message----- From: Dennis Courtland Hayes, NAACP [mailto:naacp at mail.democracyinaction.org] Sent: Friday, 2007 December 07 14:22 To: MBStaw at aol.com Subject: Save our Homes NAACP December 7 , 2007 Dear Friend, As the mortgage market continues its decline, millions of homeowners could face foreclosure in the coming year. Unfortunately, a disproportionate number of those homeowners are minorities who were targeted for subprime, predatory loans. Despite the clear evidence of illegal discrimination in lending practices, the federal agencies that regulate these institutions have done little or nothing to eliminate discrimination in the mortgage market. Click here to sign the NAACP's Save Our Homes petition! Earlier this year, the NAACP filed a historic class action lawsuit against the subprime lending industry for practices that target qualified African Americans for predatory loans. Although we continue the fight in court, we must press for a solution today that allows people breaking under the financial pressure of these loans to keep their homes. Predatory lending stymies families' attempts at wealth building, ruins people's lives and, given the disproportionate number of minority homeowners who are targeted by predatory lenders, decimates whole communities. On Monday December 10th, the NAACP and a coalition of other organizations will rally on Wall Street to demand that the lending industry commit to restructuring mortgages for borrowers who are at risk of foreclosure. With your help we can keep up the fight for economic equality on all fronts -- fighting for homeowners' rights in court and in Congress, while forcing the mortgage lending industry to do the right thing Sincerely, Dennis Courtland Hayes Interim President & CEO NAACP SAVE OUR HOMES RALLY We must press for a solution today that allows people breaking under the financial pressure of these loans to keep their homes. (c)2007 NAACP, 4805 Mt. Hope Drive, Baltimore, MD 21215. You are receiving this email because the email address MBStaw at aol.com was subscribed to our email list. Click here to unsubscribe from this newsletter. Web Bug from http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/TrackImage?key=2108652 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.uuserver.org/pipermail/uucp/attachments/20071207/e364158c/attachment-0001.html From MBStaw at aol.com Sat Dec 8 16:01:24 2007 From: MBStaw at aol.com (MBStaw at aol.com) Date: Sat, 8 Dec 2007 17:01:24 EST Subject: [UUCP] Food Collection First Sunday Each Month Message-ID: Greetings from your Racial&Social Justice Team! Our canned goods were very happily received at the Presbyterian Soup Kitchen site! Rev. Martha Grace happened to be present when Cassandra arrived with our donation. The Pastor of our host church was very pleased that we had joined the effort to bring hot meals to the hungry. Please bring your canned donations to Service the first Sunday of each month starting Sunday, January 6. Thank you on behalf of those of our fellow citizens who are in need. **************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.uuserver.org/pipermail/uucp/attachments/20071208/ce118d51/attachment.html From MBStaw at aol.com Sat Dec 8 16:23:18 2007 From: MBStaw at aol.com (MBStaw at aol.com) Date: Sat, 8 Dec 2007 17:23:18 EST Subject: [UUCP] Dedicated Collections Message-ID: The Racial&Social Justice Team is pleased to announce : The UUCP Dedicated Collection for Sunday, November 25 was $244 donated to the West Side Infant and Teen Parent Program. The next Dedicated Collection Sunday is December 23. RSJT looks forward to receiving your suggestions for organizations to become recipients of our Dedicated Collections. There is a box on the Justice Table anxiously awaiting your in-put (literally!). Thank you. **************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.uuserver.org/pipermail/uucp/attachments/20071208/650f857f/attachment.html From Michael at Meyers-Jouan.name Thu Dec 13 17:01:08 2007 From: Michael at Meyers-Jouan.name (Michael S. Meyers-Jouan) Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:01:08 -0500 Subject: [UUCP] Weekly Reader for Wednesday 2007 December 12 to Tuesday December 18 Message-ID: <10ab01c83ddc$0f63d740$6702a8c0@dellbhf8711> Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palisades Weekly Reader for Wednesday 2007 December 12 to Tuesday December 18 Editor: Michael S. Meyers-Jouan UUCP Congregational News Coming of Age Group We have five teenagers in the congregation who are working towards a "Coming of Age" service to be held in late spring. The candidates and their mentors meet periodically to prepare to present their personal credos. Last Sunday (December 9), the group met at Tom Gundling's house to discuss a variety of questions designed to inspire their thinking. UUCP Events Upcoming Sermons December 16 - Winter Solstice Celebration - Lauren Hooker December 23rd - "We Are Expecting" - Rev. Maj-Britt Johnson and the choir December 24th - A Family Christmas Eve Service of traditional carols and stories with some less traditional accompanying reflections - Rev. Maj-Britt Johnson, the choir, and various and assorted other musicians (childcare is available). Note: This service is at 5:00 PM December 30 - New Year Traditions - Renee Martin-Balise Jan 6 - (to be announced) - Rev. Maj-Britt Johnson Save the Date: January 20th 2008 Ring in 2008 by coming to a Volunteer Appreciation Celebration. Celebrate You, Celebrate Others, Celebrate UUCP! On January 20th, after the service, your minister is hosting (with the help of a few volunteers) this celebration at Flat Rock Brook Nature Center Time: 12:00 Food: Catered. In other words, you don't have to cook! Come and be fed in mind, body and spirit. Sometimes it is as blessed to receive as to give. Spiritual Centering Group The Spiritual Centering Group met in December just once before the holidays. It will reconvene in January, dates to be announced. Jan 13 -"White Privilege" - Arlene Scala Jan 20 - (to be announced) - Rev. Maj-Britt Johnson Jan 27- God, Judgment, and Us - Renee Martin-Balise UU Events Big Ideas for Small Congregations A day-long workshop on life in the smaller congregation (less than 150 members or 125 at weekly worship), sponsored by the Metro NY District Growth Team, will take place on Saturday, January 26, 2008, 10am - 4pm (coffee and pastry at 9:30am) at Community Church of New York Unitarian Universalist, 40 E 35th St, Manhattan. Congregational Presidents, Ministers, DREs, Board Members, and other leaders are all welcome! Rev. Jane Dwinell, Small Congregation Consultant and co-author (with Ellen Germann-Melosh) of the newly published Big Ideas for Small Congregations will be speaking. Our President (Jon King) has already registered to go. Please speak to Jon if you want to join him, or go to https://www.formdesk.com/uuforms/BigIdea to register. General Interest Feeding the Homeless on Christmas Day My family and I are serving Christmas Dinner to the homeless in Hackensack. They are in need of food: especially cooked turkey, but also mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, bags of frozen vegetables (e.g., corn and green beans). Please let me know ASAP if you can help. I need to tell the people in charge what I will be bringing. Thanks. Deborah Pires Kimberly K. Gallery 225 Closter Deck Road Closter, NJ 07624 +1 (201) 784-6766 Youngmee04 at Yahoo.com Exhibition: November 24, 2007 to January 5, 2008. Our Judy Bellini will be showing Women for Women International Women in the Congo have been leading very difficult lives - violence, rape, extreme poverty. Now there is a way we can help them, by sponsoring individual women in the Congo and other ravaged nations. Women for Women International allows individuals and groups, for $27 per month, to sponsor individual women - provide money to feed their families, go to school, learn job skills, meet in groups to develop hope and confidence. If you would like to become part of a UUCP group - share the expense and gain the satisfaction of helping a desperate woman and her family - please contact Judy Stiller, Judy Manton, or Svetlana Lisanti. About the Weekly Reader Submit all announcements/notices for publication in the Weekly Reader to WeeklyReader at UUCPalisades.org exactly as you want them to appear by 6:00 PM Wednesday of each week. The editor reserves the right to edit or not print based on the UUCP communication policy. E-mails that: . Cannot wait for the next weekly reader . Are of importance to the majority of the congregation, and . Pertain to official UUCP business should be sent exactly as you want them to appear to UUCP at uuserver.org. Other announcements should be sent to WeekReader at UUCPalisades.org. Announcements for services should be submitted in writing to the service coordinator at least 10 minutes before service begins. Service coordinators reserve the right to edit based on the UUCP program policy. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.uuserver.org/pipermail/uucp/attachments/20071213/09f2dd0b/attachment.html From martha at hartdesign.us Sat Dec 15 10:42:24 2007 From: martha at hartdesign.us (Martha Patton) Date: Sat, 15 Dec 2007 11:42:24 -0500 Subject: [UUCP] WINTER SOLSTICE service, tomorrow Message-ID: Hello dear congregation, Tomorrow, Lauren Hooker will be leading us in a wonderful reflection and celebration of the winter solstice. As part of that service there is time for brief reflections from you on themes from the winter solstice. Themes to consider include the waning light, the shorter days, keeping the fire burning, waiting for and anticipation of the new sun (whatever that may mean for you), light breaking in, hope, crazy antics to fend off darkness, and others. Please feel free to make creative connections. We look forward to your participation in our worship service tomorrow, In lovingkindness, Martha -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.uuserver.org/pipermail/uucp/attachments/20071215/4e44abaa/attachment.html From Michael at Meyers-Jouan.name Wed Dec 19 20:01:44 2007 From: Michael at Meyers-Jouan.name (Michael S. Meyers-Jouan) Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:01:44 -0500 Subject: [UUCP] Weekly Reader for Wednesday 2007 December 19 to Tuesday December 25 Message-ID: <033a01c842ac$48940f10$6502a8c0@dellbhf8711> Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palisades Weekly Reader for Wednesday 2007 December 19 to Tuesday December 25 Editor: Michael S. Meyers-Jouan UUCP Congregational News Help us with the Christmas Service Here is an appeal from the Program Team: We'd like to dress up the gym for our Christmas Eve Service. We are asking everyone to bring in a poinsettia so we can set them up in the front of the sanctuary. You can take them home after the service. Thanks. UUCP Events Upcoming Sermons December 23rd - "We Are Expecting" - Rev. Maj-Britt Johnson and the choir - In Christianity this is the season of Advent, a time of expectant waiting on a birth. How do we wait on the sacred? How do we wait on anything new or any change, whether anticipated or uncomfortable? There will be a Children's Circle this morning. December 24th - A Family Christmas Eve Service of traditional carols and stories with some less traditional accompanying reflections - Rev. Maj-Britt Johnson, the choir, and various and assorted other musicians. This is a family, intergenerational service, there will be no childcare provided. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend! Note: This service is at 5:00 PM December 30 - New Year Traditions - Renee Martin-Balise Jan 6 - (to be announced) - Rev. Maj-Britt Johnson Jan 13 -"White Privilege" - Arlene Scala December's Dedicated Collection The Racial and Social Justice Team informs us that our collection on Sunday, December 23 will be dedicated to "Military Families Speak Out - Bergen County" (MFSO-BC). A vigorous voice for peace, MFSO-BC was one of our co-sponsors of the "Eyes Wide Open" memorial exhibit. They are the organization that sponsors the weekly anti-war vigil outside the armory in Bergenfield. Rain or shine, snow and sleet - winter, spring, summer and fall - they are there with the signs and the chants that will not allow us to forget that 3,886 of our troops have died in the Iraq war, and nearly 1,000.000 Iraqi people. They are the organization that gets the "thumbs-up" and the cars honking in agreement that our troops should be brought home now! The Peace work they do is for all of us. Our Dedicated Collection donation will show them the support they believe exists in their fellow-Americans. Science and Humanism The next meeting of the group will take place Friday evening, January 11, 2008 at the Stawsky home. The subject will be What Is Humanism? Some questions to think about: . What is the difference between "Humanism" (capital "H") and "humanism"? . What is the "Humanist Manifesto"? What does it say that may be unique? Who wrote it? Who signed it? . Who are those who consider themselves Humanists? . Does one have to be an atheist to be a Humanist (The answers may interest you.)? . Is Humanism a spiritual philosophy? . What is the relation of Humanism to science? . What is the relation of Humanism to Unitarian Universalism? Advance readings on the subject will be made available. For more information or questions please contact Al Stawsky - 201-837-9075, alynways at aol.com. RSVPs wouild be appreciated. All are welcome. Save the Date: January 20th 2008 Ring in 2008 by coming to a Volunteer Appreciation Celebration. Celebrate You, Celebrate Others, Celebrate UUCP! On January 20th, after the service, your minister is hosting (with the help of a few volunteers) this celebration at Flat Rock Brook Nature Center Time: 12:00 Food: Catered. In other words, you don't have to cook! Come and be fed in mind, body and spirit. Sometimes it is as blessed to receive as to give. Spiritual Centering Group The Spiritual Centering Group met in December just once before the holidays. It will reconvene in January, dates to be announced. UU Events Big Ideas for Small Congregations A day-long workshop on life in the smaller congregation (less than 150 members or 125 at weekly worship), sponsored by the Metro NY District Growth Team, will take place on Saturday, January 26, 2008, 10am - 4pm (coffee and pastry at 9:30am) at Community Church of New York Unitarian Universalist, 40 E 35th St, Manhattan. Congregational Presidents, Ministers, DREs, Board Members, and other leaders are all welcome! Rev. Jane Dwinell, Small Congregation Consultant and co-author (with Ellen Germann-Melosh) of the newly published Big Ideas for Small Congregations will be speaking. Our President (Jon King) has already registered to go. Please speak to Jon if you want to join him, or go to https://www.formdesk.com/uuforms/BigIdea to register. General Interest Root Shock at Puffin On Sunday, February 10, 2008, 7:00pm, Dr. Mindy Fullilove will speak at the Puffin Cultural Forum, as part of Puffin's author series. Her highly acclaimed book Root Shock will be the topic of discussion. Feeding the Homeless on Christmas Day My family and I are serving Christmas Dinner to the homeless in Hackensack. They are in need of food: especially cooked turkey, but also mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, bags of frozen vegetables (e.g., corn and green beans). Please let me know ASAP if you can help. I need to tell the people in charge what I will be bringing. Thanks. Deborah Pires Kimberly K. Gallery 225 Closter Deck Road Closter, NJ 07624 +1 (201) 784-6766 Youngmee04 at Yahoo.com Exhibition: November 24, 2007 to January 5, 2008. Our Judy Bellini will be showing Women for Women International Women in the Congo have been leading very difficult lives - violence, rape, extreme poverty. Now there is a way we can help them, by sponsoring individual women in the Congo and other ravaged nations. Women for Women International allows individuals and groups, for $27 per month, to sponsor individual women - provide money to feed their families, go to school, learn job skills, meet in groups to develop hope and confidence. If you would like to become part of a UUCP group - share the expense and gain the satisfaction of helping a desperate woman and her family - please contact Judy Stiller, Judy Manton, or Svetlana Lisanti. About the Weekly Reader Submit all announcements/notices for publication in the Weekly Reader to WeeklyReader at UUCPalisades.org exactly as you want them to appear by 6:00 PM Wednesday of each week. The editor reserves the right to edit or not print based on the UUCP communication policy. E-mails that: . Cannot wait for the next weekly reader . Are of importance to the majority of the congregation, and . Pertain to official UUCP business should be sent exactly as you want them to appear to UUCP at uuserver.org. Other announcements should be sent to WeekReader at UUCPalisades.org. Announcements for services should be submitted in writing to the service coordinator at least 10 minutes before service begins. Service coordinators reserve the right to edit based on the UUCP program policy. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.uuserver.org/pipermail/uucp/attachments/20071219/c58af7c3/attachment.html From jdking336 at gmail.com Thu Dec 20 19:19:28 2007 From: jdking336 at gmail.com (Jonathan King) Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:19:28 -0500 Subject: [UUCP] Judy Manton is in Englewood Hospital Message-ID: I think most of you know that Judy Manton was admitted to Englewood Hospital last week with Pancreatitis. Judy is doing much better and expects to be home by Christmas. She would love to hear from folks in the congregation. Her direct phone number is (201) 227-5393. Jon -- Jonathan King, President Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palisades -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.uuserver.org/pipermail/uucp/attachments/20071220/e0083aac/attachment.html From jdking336 at gmail.com Sun Dec 23 15:16:51 2007 From: jdking336 at gmail.com (Jonathan King) Date: Sun, 23 Dec 2007 16:16:51 -0500 Subject: [UUCP] Christmas Eve Service Time and Place Message-ID: Important Reminder - The Christmas Eve service will be held tomorrow at 5:00 pm, in our regular worship space at West Side Presbyterian. Also, please remember that if you have a Poinsetta that you would be willing to share with us for decorating our space for our service, to bring it down a little bit early if possible. See you tomorrow, Jon -- Jonathan King President, UUCP -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.uuserver.org/pipermail/uucp/attachments/20071223/129aaada/attachment.html From jdking336 at gmail.com Wed Dec 26 16:16:18 2007 From: jdking336 at gmail.com (Jonathan King) Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2007 17:16:18 -0500 Subject: [UUCP] An Open Letter to Unitarian Universalist Congregations from the Rev. Bill Sinkford, President Message-ID: Dear Fellow Congregrants, Some of you are aware, and some are not, that there has been some controversy surrounding the Fort Lauderdale venue for the next Unitarian Universalist General Assembly. There has also been concerns raised on the part of some of our members. Below is a copy of the open letter to Unitarian Universalist congregations addressing this subject by the Rev. Bill Sinkford, UUA President. There is also additional information posted on the UUA website. We are currently working on putting together a discussion group on this topic for the near future, where your questions can be answered and your concerns voiced. We will let you know as soon as it is scheduled. Jon Jonathan King President, UUCP -----Original Message----- *From:* William Sinkford [mailto:BSinkford at uua.org] *Sent:* Friday, 2007 December 21 15:48 *To:* michael at meyers-jouan.name *Subject:* An Open Letter to Unitarian Universalist Congregations Concerning the Fort Lauderdale General Assembly FROM: Beth McGregor, Chair, General Assembly Planning Committee Gini Courter, Moderator William G. Sinkford, President We are writing to you because many of you recently received an email with the subject header "IMPORTANT GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECISION" concerning our upcoming 2008 General Assembly in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We want to assure you that this email did not come from the elected leadership of the UUA, our Board of Trustees, or the General Assembly Planning Committee, and we do not endorse its call for congregations to consider not sending delegates to the 2008 General Assembly. As we acknowledged in our recent memo to the UUA Board of Trustees and the GA Planning Committee (see http://www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/updatesannouncements/60305.shtml), the situation in Fort Lauderdale is not ideal. Legitimate concerns about the site and the security measures have been raised, concerns that we share, and we are working hard to address those concerns. We continue to be in dialogue with officials at the convention center, and we are following up on the other steps mentioned in the memo to make the Fort Lauderdale General Assembly as warm and welcoming as possible for our congregations. There are two new steps to note. Because there has been a good deal of rumor and speculation concerning the security measures at the Fort Lauderdale site, our GA Planning Office has developed a new Frequently Asked Questions list that will provide factual information about this issue. http://www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/updatesannouncements/61425.shtml We are also actively searching for a meeting space in Fort Lauderdale to establish a satellite site where GA delegates who cannot provide the necessary government-issued ID to gain entrance to the convention center can assemble to participate in the business of the Association via a video connection to the plenary hall at the convention center. Our worship services and opening and closing ceremonies could also be transmitted to this satellite site. This issue is important to all of us, and we are committed to doing all we can to fulfill our responsibilities as elected leaders in our faith community. Now is not the time to create divisions among us, but rather a time to work together for solutions. The unique challenges of this GA site make it clear that UUs have important matters to discuss, including the erosion of civil liberties, support for undocumented workers, and what it means to be inclusive. Let's gather at GA in Fort Lauderdale so we can have these, and other, important conversations. This letter is available on the UUA website at http://www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/updatesannouncements/61436.shtml -- Jonathan King 336 Murray Ave. Englewood, NJ 07631 Ph: 201-569-2238 Fax: 201-336-9127 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.uuserver.org/pipermail/uucp/attachments/20071226/7de7e8bc/attachment.html From Michael at Meyers-Jouan.name Wed Dec 26 19:43:55 2007 From: Michael at Meyers-Jouan.name (Michael S. Meyers-Jouan) Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2007 20:43:55 -0500 Subject: [UUCP] Weekly Reader for Wednesday 2007 December 26 to Tuesday 2008 January 3 Message-ID: <032601c84829$fa54ce60$6502a8c0@dellbhf8711> Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palisades Weekly Reader for Wednesday 2007 December 26 to Tuesday 2008 January 3 Editor: Michael S. Meyers-Jouan UUCP Congregational News A Report from Judy Manton Dear Family and Friends, The CAT scan results today were excellent, so I'm now on a liquid diet, soon solid food and will be discharged Friday or Saturday! And today I heard yet another story of someone who almost died because of a perforated colon. So, I'm grateful that the puncture was small and that my good health contributed to a quick healing. Although it was an Englewood Hosp surgeon who accidentally punctured my colon during an endoscopy, I received excellent care thereafter from all levels of medical personnel. All 3 of my roommates over these 13 days thus far have cancer, so I'm the lucky one. I've used my captured time to grade FDU research papers and final exams, watch a couple of great movies, whittle my e-msgs down by 150 and read, read, read. THANKS for all your e-msgs, visits, phone calls, balloons, good wishes, funny e-mails, and even those sympathetic thoughts which were never transmitted verbally or electronically. Seasons Greetings to all, Judy UUCP Events Upcoming Sermons December 30 - New Year Traditions - Renee Martin-Balise Jan 6 - (to be announced) - Rev. Maj-Britt Johnson Jan 13 -"White Privilege" - Arlene Scala Jan 20 - (to be announced) - Rev. Maj-Britt Johnson December's Dedicated Collection The collection on Sunday, December 23 which was dedicated to "Military Families Speak Out - Bergen County" (MFSO-BC), raised $263.00 for that organization. Geo-Genome Exhibit at Puffin Tour-Lecture-Discussion There will be a group visit to this exhibit of works by four artists at the Puffin Foundation (20 East Oakdene Ave - now named "Puffin Way") on Friday, January 4 at 7:00 PM. Tim Blunk, Puffin"s director, will lecture on the exhibit and one of the artists will also participate. "This exhibit reconsiders paradigms of health and illness, and challenges us to think anew about our species narrative about our place in the planet's evolution." The exhibit reflects the reality and mystery of the human body. See the posters on male pregnancy and on genetic medicine. This may be of special interest to the upcoming Science & Humanist Group session on "Medical Ethics," March 7. The tour will be followed by a showing of Michael Moore's movie "Sicko" for those who wish to stay. All UUCPers and friends are invited. Contact Al Stawsky to RSVP or for info - 201-837-9075, alynways at aol.com. Science and Humanism The next meeting of the group will take place Friday evening, January 11, 2008 at the Stawsky home. The subject will be What Is Humanism? Some questions to think about: . What is the difference between "Humanism" (capital "H") and "humanism"? . What is the "Humanist Manifesto"? What does it say that may be unique? Who wrote it? Who signed it? . Who are those who consider themselves Humanists? . Does one have to be an atheist to be a Humanist (The answers may interest you.)? . Is Humanism a spiritual philosophy? . What is the relation of Humanism to science? . What is the relation of Humanism to Unitarian Universalism? Advance readings on the subject will be made available. For more information or questions please contact Al Stawsky - 201-837-9075, alynways at aol.com. RSVPs wouild be appreciated. All are welcome. Save the Date: January 19th 2008 Ring in 2008 by coming to a Volunteer Appreciation Celebration. Celebrate You, Celebrate Others, Celebrate UUCP! On January 20th, after the service, your minister is hosting (with the help of a few volunteers) this celebration at Flat Rock Brook Nature Center Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM Food: Catered. In other words, you don't have to cook! Come and be fed in mind, body and spirit. Sometimes it is as blessed to receive as to give. Spiritual Centering Group The Spiritual Centering Group met in December just once before the holidays. It will reconvene in January, dates to be announced. UU Events Big Ideas for Small Congregations A day-long workshop on life in the smaller congregation (less than 150 members or 125 at weekly worship), sponsored by the Metro NY District Growth Team, will take place on Saturday, January 26, 2008, 10am - 4pm (coffee and pastry at 9:30am) at Community Church of New York Unitarian Universalist, 40 E 35th St, Manhattan. Congregational Presidents, Ministers, DREs, Board Members, and other leaders are all welcome! Rev. Jane Dwinell, Small Congregation Consultant and co-author (with Ellen Germann-Melosh) of the newly published Big Ideas for Small Congregations will be speaking. Our President (Jon King) has already registered to go. Please speak to Jon if you want to join him, or go to https://www.formdesk.com/uuforms/BigIdea to register. General Interest Yellow Face at the Public Theater Adrienne Tin saw this play with her daughter, Cindy, and highly recommends it. YELLOW FACE EXTENDED AGAIN, THRU SUN JAN 13 ONLY! SAVE UP TO 25%! SEE IT NOW FOR ONLY $37.50* (REG. $50)! "FUNNY and DEEPLY MOVING - a 21st century version of the American immigrant experience." -Olympia Dukakis "HEROIC and FUNNY. I could not have spent a better couple of hours." -David Bowie "SMART and DELIGHTFUL, YELLOW FACE is a Chinese box of DECEPTIVE AMUSEMENTS and CRUSHING BEAUTY." -Linda Winer, Newsday "A DELICIOUS COMEDY." -Marilyn Stasio, Variety "In LEIGH SILVERMAN'S AGILE production, Yellow Face TRIUMPHS as a LAUGH-OUT-LOUD comedy, and an unexpectedly POIGNANT odyssey of self-discovery." -Joy Goodwin, The New York Sun Written by DAVID HENRY HWANG Directed by LEIGH SILVERMAN With NOAH BEAN, FRANCIS JUE, JULIENNE HANZELKA KIM, KATHRYN LAYNG, HOON LEE, LUCAS CALEB ROONEY, ANTHONY TORN David Henry Hwang puts himself center stage with alter-ego DHH in this very funny, very unreliable memoir. Part autobiography, part mockumentary, Yellow Face blends truth and fiction to give us a funny and moving backstage look at Hwang's search to confront the roles that race and ethnicity play in America. A World Premiere co-production with Center Theatre Group. THREE EASY WAYS TO ORDER YOUR TIX: 12. ONLINE: Visit PUBLICTHEATER.ORG and enter code YFPS01 for $37.50 tix 13. BY PHONE: Call 212-967-7555 (Mon-Sun 10am-9pm) and mention code YFPS01 for $37.50 tix 14. IN PERSON: Bring a printout of this offer to The Public Theater Box Office, 425 Lafayette Street (Sun-Mon 1-6pm, Tues-Sat 1-7:30pm) Performance Schedule: Now Playing Through Sun Jan 13 Tues at 7, Wed-Fri at 8, Sat at 2 & 8, Sun at 3 & 7 Special Holiday Matinee Performance: Wed Dec 26 at 2 TICKETS: 212-967-7555 OR PUBLICTHEATER.ORG Rush Tix: There will be a limited number of $20 Rush Tix available at the box office for every downtown theater performance on sale to the general public one hour prior to curtain. There is a 2 ticket limit per person. Cash only. Student Tickets: $25 student tickets are available for advance purchase at the box office for every downtown theater performance on sale to the general public. Must have a valid student ID at the time of purchase. Limit 1 ticket per person. **Conditions: Yellow Face: $37.50 (Reg. $50) offer valid for performances from 11/19/07 to 1/13/08. Black out dates may apply. Offer is subject to availability and prior sale; not valid on prior purchases; cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions. This offer may be revoked at any time. Performance schedule subject to change without notice. Limit 8 tickets per order. No refund or exchanges. Telephone and online orders are subject to standard service fees. Root Shock at Puffin On Sunday, February 10, 2008, 7:00pm, Dr. Mindy Fullilove will speak at the Puffin Cultural Forum, as part of Puffin's author series. Her highly acclaimed book Root Shock will be the topic of discussion. Kimberly K. Gallery 225 Closter Deck Road Closter, NJ 07624 +1 (201) 784-6766 Youngmee04 at Yahoo.com Exhibition: November 24, 2007 to January 5, 2008. Our Judy Bellini will be showing Women for Women International Women in the Congo have been leading very difficult lives - violence, rape, extreme poverty. Now there is a way we can help them, by sponsoring individual women in the Congo and other ravaged nations. Women for Women International allows individuals and groups, for $27 per month, to sponsor individual women - provide money to feed their families, go to school, learn job skills, meet in groups to develop hope and confidence. If you would like to become part of a UUCP group - share the expense and gain the satisfaction of helping a desperate woman and her family - please contact Judy Stiller, Judy Manton, or Svetlana Lisanti. About the Weekly Reader Submit all announcements/notices for publication in the Weekly Reader to WeeklyReader at UUCPalisades.org exactly as you want them to appear by 6:00 PM Wednesday of each week. The editor reserves the right to edit or not print based on the UUCP communication policy. E-mails that: . Cannot wait for the next weekly reader . Are of importance to the majority of the congregation, and . Pertain to official UUCP business should be sent exactly as you want them to appear to UUCP at uuserver.org. Other announcements should be sent to WeekReader at UUCPalisades.org. Announcements for services should be submitted in writing to the service coordinator at least 10 minutes before service begins. Service coordinators reserve the right to edit based on the UUCP program policy. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.uuserver.org/pipermail/uucp/attachments/20071226/e6dad34c/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: att1381.gif Type: image/gif Size: 12216 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.uuserver.org/pipermail/uucp/attachments/20071226/e6dad34c/attachment-0001.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: att1382.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 20440 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.uuserver.org/pipermail/uucp/attachments/20071226/e6dad34c/attachment-0001.jpg From majbjohn at optonline.net Thu Dec 27 15:13:20 2007 From: majbjohn at optonline.net (maj-britt) Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2007 16:13:20 -0500 Subject: [UUCP] Volunteer Appreciation Celebration is for Everyone! Message-ID: <001101c848cd$4ec52e60$6501a8c0@client001> Hi Folks, there seems to be some confusion about who is invited to the volunteer appreciation celebration which has been rescheduled for Saturday the 19th of January 6-9 p.m. at Flatrock Brook Nature Center. EVERYONE is invited. Even if you think you are not much of a "volunteer", then you can be an appreciator of volunteers! This is not an award ceremony, there will be no long speeches, or bowing or scraping. It is a chance to relax a bit in the dead of winter, have some fun and share what we most appreciate about each other, and UUCP. Plus there will be a good catered meal. What we do need from everyone who is planning to attend is an RSVP. Please let Judy Bellini know, by January 16th, at renaissancejude at optonline.net if you will be attending. We need a count for the caterer. Faithfully, Maj-Britt -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.uuserver.org/pipermail/uucp/attachments/20071227/5426b667/attachment.html