March 2004

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship At Easton, Maryland

7401 Ocean Gateway, PO Box 1162, Easton, Maryland 21601, 410-822-8103, www.uufeaston.org

 

 

 

Two Sunday Services With Child Care, 9 & 11 a.m.

Sunday School, 11:00 a.m.

 

 

 

Mar. 7, “Buddhism: A World Religions Sermon.” In his second sermon on World Religions, Jim turns to a consideration of Buddhism and why it means so much to Unitarian Universalists today.

 

Mar. 14, “Judaism: A World Religions Sermon.” For Unitarian Universalists, the relationship to Judaism seems that much closer than for any other church just down the street. For we welcome Jewish members on the same footing as Christian or any other religious tradition. And in some ways we may be closer to Judaism than to Christianity. We’ll talk about this today.

 

Mar. 21, “Christianity: A World Religions Sermon.” We couldn’t have a series on World Religions without including Christianity. It is at least our ethos, and for some Unitarian Universalists it remains a very live part of our present, too. Choir to sing at 9 a.m.

 

Mar. 28, “Take Joy!” The Easton and Annapolis UU choirs will join together for a service combining poetry and music. The service will begin with a joyous processional anthem and explore poetry by 16th century architect Fra Giovanni, Schiller, Walt Whitman, and Carl Sandberg, among others, interspersed with a variety of musical selections celebrating the wonders of existence. The service will close with an exuberant choral setting of a text from Isaiah, “Go Out With Joy.” Marsha Schachtel, Lisa Fleeharty, and Phil Tawes will lead the service. Join us for a joyous celebration of life!

 

 

Jim Bank is in the church office Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to at least 3:00 p.m., but often running into the evening hours. His e-mail address is jmbatmd@aol.com. His personal phone number is 301-633-4274. His home phone is 301-622-6431. Messages also can be left on the office line. Because of meetings and conferences, it is best to call ahead and make an appointment. Jim will be in town a third weekday as well for community events and to visit with members.

 

If I Were the Fellowship

 

In a book on understanding the mind of humanity throughout history, E. E. Evans-Pritchard said that too many of us spend time playing the children’s game, “If I Were a Horse,” in which we imagine what it is we’d want to have and what it is we’d want to do if we were horses. The problem, Dr. Evans-Pritchard said, is that we never have been and never will be horses, and, thus, we can never really understand their motivations and desires. Nor can we be other than the persons that we are—limited by our time, our place, and our backgrounds.

In spite of these warnings, we find ourselves joined in playing a game that could be called, “If I Were the Fellowship,” and we’re playing it for keeps. Though it may sound like the same game Evans-Pritchard counseled against, there’s a difference that makes our activities wholly appropriate. For we are the Fellowship, as we band together in worship and program activities, in remembering the good times, and in making plans for the future. And we are never more so than when we raise the funds necessary for our coming year or for our needed building expansion. These tasks of our Giving for Today pledge campaign and our Building Our Future capital fund drive are taking place together right now. These tasks we’ve set ourselves to achieve.

Our Board of Trustees, Finance Committee, and various other committees are establishing a budget for the coming year that will maintain the programs and opportunities we enjoy and create new ones. Our Building and Campaign Steering Committees have sought designs and forecast goals for building a new sanctuary and refurbishing all our spaces. As a growing congregation all of us have dreamed of what we can do together with more space and more participation. But our growth and dreams will continue only if we pledge what we can to these important fund drives. Come to the Fellowship regularly, make an appointment to meet with your canvasser, and ponder sincerely all that our Fellowship means to you and all you want it to mean for yourself and others. Then make your pledges accordingly. See you at the Fellowship Sunday!

Jim Bank

 

 

The Heart in Asking

I came to UUFE 15 years ago because Edie Swallow and Grace Marshall asked if I would teach Sunday school. I said yes, bringing my 3-year-old daughter Elizabeth to join her girlfriend Lane Earnest and Lane’s 5-year-old brother Brett as the first three children in our new religious education program. After 4 Sundays, I found another teacher to replace myself and joined the congregation. I became a UUFE because I was asked.

If Gail and I are good co-presidents, it is largely because of our willingness to ask. Some of our recent triumphs include gathering Nancy Dimond, Nancy Krueger, Cynthia Quast, Jean Rhian, Laverne Webb and Jim Bank to attend the Healthy Congregations workshops along with Gail and Bob Woodall and recruiting Nancy Krueger to head the Long-Range Planning Task Force, Stephen Meehan to join the Board of Directors, and Jake Jacobs to head the search for the new Director of Religious Education. Asking for volunteer assistance never stops, and most of us respond. Notice who sings, sets up coffee, works the music system, ushers, works in the office, helps with cleanup, decorates, teaches, produces the Newsletter, let alone who serves on committees, the Board, and task forces.

The heart of our Fellowship, though, is asking “how are you” and “what do you think” and then listening to and acting on the responses. It goes on during chalice lighting, at coffee hour, at adult RE sessions, at small group meetings and committees, and at social events. It’s how friendships and family-like commitments develop and are sustained. Let’s hope that we also ask one another for clarification or for help when we don’t quite understand, or when we might otherwise make assumptions, or when we are unsure. Some asking is scarier than others.

For some of us, asking for money is one of these scarier asks. I have come to believe that when I ask, I am giving someone an opportunity. I cannot, and should not, predict the response. Its unfair not to ask: It might deprive someone of the sense of being appreciated and the good feelings that come with commitment and contribution. As Gail and I wrote in our letter to the congregation, March will be a month of celebration, reflection, and anticipation. We ask you to open your hearts, as well as your pocketbooks, by taking part in the festivities; by welcoming a canvasser into your home; by pledging to the annual operating campaign; and by making a one-time pledge for the 3-year capital campaign.

I ask for your support, patience, tolerance, and hugs.

 

Janet Pfeffer

 

 

Men’s Lunch Bunch, Mar. 3, 17, & 31

 

Men from the Fellowship gather promptly at 11:30 a.m. at the Easton Airport Cafe.

 

Women’s Luncheon, Mar. 11, Noon

 

Our loyal Kent Islanders have suggested that we come up their way for lunch this time at The Narrows restaurant in Grasonville. We can carpool from the Fellowship, meeting at 11:30 a.m., or if you wish to drive yourself, go Rt. 50 North and take Exit 42. At first stop sign, turn left. At the second stop sign, cross Route 18 (tricky traffic) and bear to the right. You’ll see Fisherman’s Inn on the left and soon The Narrows before you come to the dead end. Please speak with Tineke Tan (410-643-6504) to be included in the reservation.

 

Dinner and a Movie Night, Mar. 12

 

This month’s movie is “Office Space,” which is rated R. An office drone who feels that every day of his life is the worst yet, stops caring about his job, ignoring his work and goofing off. “[A]nyone who has ever suffered in a cubicle...will be able to pick out almost anyone from his [or her] office among the characters” (Craig Marine, San Fran. Exam.). Please bring office-type food to share. Showtime is 6:30 p.m.

 

Vegetarian Potluck, Mar. 16

 

Join us on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. for vegetarian fare and discussion. We have merged the three potlucks back into one, so we can discuss writing; Spanish; vegetarianism; or, as usual, whatever topic comes up. This month, bring any favorite vege dish a salad, bread, or dessert. There is always lots of good food, so feel free to stop by and sample our cooking. Please tell your vegetarian friends about our group—all are welcome. Call Dana Keller (410-763-6508) for more information.

 

Knitting, Etc., Mar. 20

 

 

Join fellow knitters and needle crafters the third Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. We knit; talk; share a cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa; and enjoy the camaraderie of those who share our passion. Beginners are welcome. Questions can be directed to Janet Pfeffer or Gail Woodall. Over time, perhaps we hope this will be a good place to share ideas, patterns, tools, and extra yarns.

 

Book Discussion Group, Mar. 25

 

We’ll meet as usual with a brown bag; talk about recent reads; and select a title for a joint discussion in April. The kettle will be on, and “we’ll all have tea.”

 

Youth Group, Thursdays

 

Every Thursday at 5:30 p.m., the teens meet on the RE porch for conversation, a light dinner, and planning. Youth groups often ebb and flow according to age and interests, so encourage your youth to join us and help make the group their own. We also will try to get to a UU district CON this spring. We need another advisor to round out our team; see Mary Lou if you have the energy to join us and get to know these remarkable youth.

 

 

 

What the new building could mean to the Children’s Religious Education Program:

 

•  Room to grow in comfort: A space big enough for all the children and teachers to sit together comfortably. Our monthly children’s worship circle is a cramped affair, with kids on laps, standing, and energetically piled in the middle of the porch floor. A new meeting space will also serve as a room for guests to come speak (or sing, dance, play an instrument, etc.).

 

•  Classrooms big enough to fit a class of 12: …plus 3 teachers and a guest or 2. The RE wing once was a small apartment, which is cute and cozy—when empty!

 

•  Improved safety: No more sending the children and teachers out into the cold, wet, or icy conditions. Because coats are usually hung in the front hall, the RE group must brave the elements to rush to our classrooms after being sung out. (In case you’re thinking RE should all exit out the back and pick up our coats, there’s precious little space as it is, which means no room for a coat rack or 30+ wet coats!) We’re looking forward to a child-friendly coat rack with a shelf or cubbies for cargo or a change of clothes and a space for muddy shoes.

 

That’s what the new building means to RE and what every person deserves, regardless of age. Just like $1 invested today will grow if invested properly, every $1 given during the Capital Campaign will pay big dividends in the future vitality of this wonderful spiritual community.

 

Take care, Mary Lou

 

P.S. My life has taken many interesting and time-consuming turns in the past few months, and the future seems to be coming very quickly, so Nicole Meehan and I are going to job share for the next few months. Nicole has done a great job as RE Committee Chair, teacher, and co-leader of the homeschool programs, and I know she will be a huge asset during this transition.

 

Secret Friends

 

Every child in our RE program has been paired with an adult to share messages and tokens, and we are well into our 6 weeks of fun! The adults know who their secret friend is and are expected to reach out in some small way each week through either a card, phone call, small gift, or snack. We have mailbags for each child in the lobby across from the nursery, and Mary Lou has a small stash of goodies to share with those adults who need help. Because the RE group is involved with the Heifer projects Read to Feed program, we especially encourage book sharing and animal-related items. On March 28, the program ends with an “unveiling” so that the children can meet their adult supporter and share a potluck lunch and good times.

 

Parent Meeting, Mar. 14

 

Kiwako Shimuzu will be with us during RE and the parent meeting. We can discuss parenting in different cultures, jazz music, cultureshock, or whatever comes up. Bring a child-friendly potluck item and join us in the RE wing from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.

 

Homeschool Outreach, Mar. 23

 

Area homeschoolers, join us as we explore the Amazon jungle from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Children will enjoy arts and crafts, music, stories, and special cuisine. Please let Mary Lou know if you have something special you could offer this program.

 

Editor’s note. Due to inclement weather and scheduling conflicts, we have had to postpone our visit to Japan until April. Kiwako Shimuzu will be our special guest.

 

Read To Feed

 

Children and adults have been reading lots of books and keeping track. Hopefully, we can reward their extra efforts and support this Heifer Project program. Keep reading!

 

 

Once again, we celebrate the joys and share the concerns that our members and friends have experienced during the past month.

Our support goes out to Cynthia Quast whose sister is now under Hospice care and to Ellie Spurry whose son, Albie, is having medical problems. We send our best to Tom Anovick who will soon have surgery on his shoulder and to Elaine Altvater, Zac Keller, and Jerry Tan who are recovering from their own surgeries.

We celebrate with Carol and Hugh Kabler who have a new great-granddaughter, Anna, and with Rene Bond whose granddaughter, Tess, was born recently. It was good to hear that a Mark Twain paper of Dwayne Eutsey’s is soon to be published and that Dick Doughty had been awarded the Silver Beaver for his work with the Boy Scouts. Other joys to share was the news that Cathy Miller will soon be able to do her job from home and that Nancy Dimond’s new house is coming up, out of the ground. Finally, cheers for all of us: an award from the Joseph Priestly District of $1,500 toward the cost of our fund-raising consultant.

 

 

 

Mar. 3, Film Discussion: “Three Wishes.” A genuinely satisfying parable about positive thinking and living in the moment. Time: 6 to 9 p.m. A donation for dinner is requested. Leader: Gail Woodall

 

Mar. 10, “Mary Magdalene.” We will be viewing a video discussion of Mary Magdalene’s life and significance, followed by a conversation of the use of Mary Magdalene in popular culture. Leader: Rev. Jim Bank

Mar. 17, “WHATEVER!” Sound familiar? Come learn about communicating with and relating to your teen or preteen. This discussion is facilitated by Laura Roth, who is a Parent Educator for Talbot County. More importantly, she is a survivor of three, almost four, teen children.

 

Mar. 24, “The History of Jesus.” Last fall we explored the life of Buddha. This spring we turn to Jesus. Using the book The History of Jesus by E. P. Sanders as our guide, we will explore the facts and the fascinating results of Jesus’s life. Come even if you have not read the book. Leader: Mary Lou Keller

 

Mar. 31, “Gardening for the Soul.” With spring in the air, it’s time to sow the gardens that feed our spirits. Whether your dream is a vegetable, native plant, perennial, or herb garden, we will gather to share wisdom, seeds, and lessons learned along the way. Leaders: Beth Jones and friends.

 

 

Introduction to Unitarian Universalism

 

Saturday, March 27, 12 to 4 p.m.

 

Led by Rev. Jim Bank and Rene Bond, this class is helpful for anyone who is new to our Fellowship, whether you’ve just joined, are considering joining, or would simply like to know more about Unitarian Universalism and our Easton Fellowship. The class introduces the general UU history and theology and, more specifically, our own history, what there is to become involved in, and how we get things done. Participants have the chance to share some of their own spiritual beliefs and get to know others. To register, call the church office at 410-822-8103 or look for the signup sheet on the coffee table after Sunday services. Bring a brown bag lunch if you like. We will provide cookies. Childcare can be provided with advance notice.