June 2004

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
at Easton, MD

7401 Ocean Gateway, POB 1162, Easton, MD 21601, www.uufeaston.org

One Sunday Service With Child Care, 10 a.m.

Sunday School, 10 a.m.

UUFE Contacts

The UUFE Newsletter is run 11 times a year, with a combined July/August issue in the summer. The deadline for submissions is the 15^th of every month, except July.

June Sermons

June 6, “The Affairs of Dragons.” “Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons,” the old proverb goes, “for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.” Jim will expand on this in his sermon.

June 13, “Killing the Buddha by the Side of the Road.” Based on a Zen Koan, Jim talks today of the inner light and its importance while many will be worshiping at the All-Fellowship Retreat.

June 20, “A Flower Communion Sunday on Father's Day.” Don't forget to bring a flower along from your garden to join the flowers we will have and to be shared with each other as a part of the service.

June 23, “Articulating Your UU Faith.” What does it mean to be able to articulate your UU faith? Is it the ability to explain your chosen faith to family or friends? Does it mean that you're an evangelist? Does it mean that you're able to join religious conversations? Would you be able to articulate your UU faith? Come ponder the questions and join our journey as program participants put into words their experiences and what they learned.

Ministerial Musings

Jim's office hours: Tues. & Wed. from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.,with some evening hours. Cell: 301-633-4274;

Home: 301-622-6431 (410-770-9772 after 6/18/04);E-mail: jmbatmd@aol.com. Messages also can be left on the office line. Please call ahead and make an appointment. Jim will be in town a third weekday for communityevents and to visit with members.

Paper Bag Moving

I must confess: I am a paper bag mover. I even vacation with paper bags. I used to have a set of luggage--not too expensive, a reasonable grade of canvass. But all those pieces got lost in time, and I'm really much more content now with paper bags. I fill them up with clothes and such, those brown paper bags that I insist on using to bring my groceries home from the commissary or the Giant and on saving, too. And then, once they've been refilled, I'm ready to go just about anywhere!

So now those same bags are filling up with books and videos, pictures and pottery, pots and pans, CDs and clothing--all those things that have to come across the bridge to Easton. We'll need plenty of cardboard boxes, too, and I've saved a batch of these for just this occasion. But my heart lies most with all the things that can be stuffed in paper bags and carried away from one point to another.

I think it's a philosophical thing. If you can be sure of the handling because you're doing it yourself, what benefit is there to packing more carefully and more expensively. And why spend extra money for the packing of things that have bumped around your life with you for 5, 10, or 20 years? Go cheap, I say, and farther!

I do the same thing with myself. I used to fly economy all the time. But now I use Southwest or some equivalent. I'd probably mail myself is there were some reasonable way. But for right now, and for the special task of moving here to Easton, I'll pack my paper bags and load my car with everything I can to cut expenses. And I enjoy the whole ridiculous process.

See you at the Fellowship Sunday!

Jim Bank

From the Co-Presidents

Get Ready...Get Set...

I think of May and June as the “get ready, get set” months in our Fellowship's calendar. The Nominating Committee helped us with the “get ready” task of lining up an excellent slate of Officers and Board of Trustees members for our next fiscal year. For those of you who were unable to attend our Annual Meeting on May 16, these individuals will be:

• Janet Pfeffer and Gail Woodall as Co-Presidents

• Cynthia Quast as Vice President

• Nancy Krueger as Clerk

• Nancy Dimond as Treasurer

• Dwayne Eutsey, Jake Jacobs, Stephen Meehan, and Jean Rhian beginning 2-year terms as Board members

• Dick Doughty, Eugene Goll, and Patty Joiner completing the second year of their terms as Board members

We'll be saying a fond farewell to Edie Swallow and David Manning who have worked hard and served us well.

During our “get set” month of June, Janet and I will be checking with the current committee chairs to see where their interests lie for next year. In addition, we will be asking some individuals to assume chair (or co-chair) positions of committees that need new leadership. Three committees come to mind that are in need of chairs: Publicity, Member Services, and the children's arm of Religious Education. Each of these committees is critical to our long-range plan for growth. Please don't think you need to wait for a call from Janet or me. We would be delighted to hear from anyone who knows that his or her talents would be put to good use serving in one of these positions.

By July, the beginning of fiscal year 2005, we hope to be ready to GO, with our building expansion plan in its final stages of refinement, our long-range plan extension ready to guide us in a meaningful direction to 2007, and our financial health established. Stay tuned and look for great things to come.

Gail Woodall

Gatherings

Men’s Lunch Bunch, June 2, 16, & 30

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

Women’s Luncheon, June 10, Noon

Let's meet at Masons in Easton where the weather might even let us eat al fresco. Please let Anne Lemp (410-822-9370) know if you can come, so she can make arrangements for a table. Also, a few of us have thought it might be nice to meet an additional day each month, so please speak with Edie Swallow if this interests you. We might pick a different weekday and maybe do a bit of traveling-the Narrows, St. Michaels, Oxford, or even a picnic on someone's porch.

Dinner and a Movie Night, June 11

This month's movie is “The House of Sand and Fog” (rated R), starring Jennifer Connelly and Ben Kingsley. Based on the acclaimed best-selling novel comes the “stunningly powerful” (Paul Clinton, CNN), suspenseful, and gripping story of two strangers whose conflicting pursuits of the American dream lead to “a surprise ending that will leave you breathless!” Dinner is potluck. Showtime is 6:30 p.m.

Knitting, Etc., June 19

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 Jane Pfeffer or Gail Woodall.

Sunday Lunch Bunch

In good weather, we will meet at the gazebo in Idlewild Park around noon. Plan to bring your “parknic,” either made at home or from the sub shop. If the weather is bad, the group will meet at the Bagel Factory. Check on the day's plan with George McManus or Rene Bond after the service.

Mary Lou & Dana, We’ll Miss You!

Farewell Luncheon, June 6, 11:30 a.m.

Join us for a Vegetarian Potluck send-off for Mary Lou and Dana Keller to wish them well in their newest adventures. Please bring a favorite vegetarian dish, bread, or dessert.

Book Discussion Group

We will not be meeting through the summer but will gather in September to share all we have read while lounging on the beach. Happy summer reading to all!

Youth Group, Thursdays

Every Thursday at 5:30 p.m., the teen 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 need another advisor to round out our team; see Nicole Meehan if you have the energy to join us and get to know these remarkable youth.

Children’s Religious Education

This Is a Blessed Place

During the past year, our children studied and reflected on our UU Principles and Purposes in order to gain a sense of the values that bring us here each week. Why do we gather here instead of the church down the street? What makes us unique as UUs? Where do our symbols of the chalice and flame come from? The children cut, colored, pasted, presented, and laughed their way through the lessons.

Their greater understanding of the Principles, however, came not through these prepared lessons, but through our interaction as a community. Our children were able to celebrate, worship, and play within a positive, responsible Fellowship family. Even in those small tragedies of a hurt feeling or disagreement, one of us was able to step in and reemphasize the inherent worth and dignity of every person or the need for justice, equity, and compassion. Through this interaction, each member of the Fellowship has become an active educator of the RE program.

The RE program, therefore, is a reflection of our community and its needs. We are not a church that tells one how to parent or that takes over the spiritual sector of a childs education. We work instead to honor each parent's path of raising caring, accepting, and aware children--children who will one day be our voice in the world. This is a reflection on the principle of democratic process as well. Our curriculum selection, for example, is not handed down by a high church authority, but is discussed, debated, and molded by our parents and teachers.

Selfishly, as a parent, I must say how blessed I feel to raise my girls around such a strong, positive network of friends, mentors, and Fellowship families. Thank you for sharing your children with our community. This is a blessed place! Take care,

Nicole Meehan

Parent Meeting: Next Year’s Curricula

Our formal parent groups will take a break, but the fresh air and warm sun will surely encourage more informal impromptu outings. And our Annual Retreat will be a wonderful opportunity to get together in both family and adult groups. We will be choosing curricula during June and hope to discuss the possibilities during the retreat. If you can't make it and want to view the textbooks and have input, contact Nicole.

Summer Teaching Help Needed!

Haven't you always wanted to experience RE first hand? Maybe you just didn't want to commit to teaching for a whole year….Here's your chance to share all of those great ideas with the kids of our Fellowship for just one Sunday. A Summer Teaching Sign-Up sheet is on the back wall of the sanctuary for all to see. Please sign up soon for first choice. We will provide as much help with supplies and curriculum as you need. Thanks!

Social Action

Fair Trade Coffee

The Social Action Committee is planning to purchase Fair Trade Coffee for sale. This is a project of the UU Service Committee to ensure fair payment to small growers in Africa, Asia, and South America. A list will be place on the back table of the sanctuary for those who may be interested to indicate preferences. Costs for 12 oz will be $5.00 for regular and decaf drip and $6.00 for coffee beans. Other suggestions will be welcomed. Other congregations in this area are already participating in this program.

Crop Walk

The Committee, along with the Children's RE program, will participate again in the Annual Crop Walk (Communities Reaching Out to People) in September under the aegis of the Church World Service. More details will be available later.

Budget Allocations

The Committee has allocated $125 to the Family Service Center for its affordable child care program; $125 to the Talbot County Jail Library for purchase of books, and $200 to the Talbot County Community Pool for pool passes. For the initial coffee purchase, $100 is projected.

Build Important Bridges of Friendship With the Arab World

AYUSA (Academic Year in the USA) is a nonprofit organization that provides young people with learning experiences that promote cultural appreciation, insight, and friendship. AYUSA was recently granted an award by the State Department to bring high school students from the Arab World on full scholarships to the United States through the Partnerships for Learning Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES). The YES program further exposes these Arab scholars to the principles of leadership, civil society, and community service. The goal of this unique program is to engage these youth, their teachers, their American classmates, and community leaders in an exchange effort that will promote increased understanding and tolerance between our peoples.

These youth will be placed in clusters around the U.S., attend public high school, and live with a volunteer host family from Aug. 2004 to Sept. 2005. Mentors also will be recruited to work with these outstanding academic achievers who are able to speak, read, and write English fluently. If you are interested in helping or participating with AYUSA, contact Laura Darnell (410-212-9272) or visit www.ayusa.org for more information.

Eutsey To Run AIDS Marathon

I'm running the 2004 Marine Corps Marathon on behalf of persons living with HIV/AIDS. This is my second running as an AIDS Marathoner, and I'm looking forward to this fulfilling experience. My training has commenced, and I have started asking for sponsorships. The funds I raise with hundreds of other runners like me will provide millions for direct medical care and other critical services to clients of the Whitman-Walker Clinic. If you would like to help, please visit my Web page at

www.aidsmarathon.com/participant.asp?runner=DC2454&EventCode=MC04

or pick up my sponsor form at the back of the sanctuary. Thanks for your support!

Love, Amy

Music Notes

Children, Literacy, & Music

If you are fortunate enough to bring a young child to service, try this extra opportunity for shared closeness and slip in a little educational moment: When it comes time for responsive readings or hymns, both of you hold the hymnal together, whether with your child in your lap or standing with an arm around his or her shoulder. If your child is a beginning reader, use a finger to follow the parts the congregation reads or sings. The visual flow of readings and hymns may not be familiar to even more able readers. Just like reading storybooks to infants is the beginning of a warm and comfortable association with reading, physical closeness while using the hymnal is a welcoming invitation to a more full participation in worship.

UUMN Annual Conference

The UU Musicians Network (UUMN) is holding its annual national conference in Arlington, VA, from August 3 to 7. The lead clinician will be Ysaye Barnwell of Sweet Honey in the Rock. Because it's so close, it's possible to attend for 1 or more days as fits your schedule or interest. Patty Rubin is planning to be there for the duration. For more info, go to www.uua.org/uumn/2004conf/info.pdf. More details are posted on the board in the Fellowship office.

Drumming Circle, June 18

Join us at 7 p.m. on the third Friday of the month for drumming circle. Some of the drummers have been taking lessons and are getting to be good leaders, so join us if you want to learn or just have fun. There are always extra instruments. Please contact Debra Hathaway (410-770-9057) if you have instruments to donate.

Song Circle on Vacation

The Song Circle will take some time off. We are thinking of moving it to the fourth Friday of the month. Please contact Dave Moore and let him know if this is a good time for you (410-770-4896 or dhmoore@goeaston.net).

Position Open

Piano Accompanist

The UUFE is seeking a piano accompanist for congregational hymns and choir at its 11 a.m. service and Thursday evening rehearsals from September to May and for the 10 a.m. service hymns only from June to August. Service music encompasses a variety of styles and diverse faith traditions. Compensation: $50/Thurs. choir rehearsal; $50/Sunday service, including brief choir rehearsal; $35/Sunday service, hymns only. Position to begin September 2004. For details, please contact Margaret Garey (410-822-2953) or Patty Rubin, Music Director (410-745-2000; pafrubin@yahoo.com).

Finance News

The UUFE Finance Committee has been working to bring our policies and procedures for finance matters up to date. The focus of our efforts has been to document and develop procedures and policies that will safeguard our assets. We are basing our work on recommendations from the book, Effective Church Accounting, by Vargo; UUA Financial Admini-stration guidelines; and common sense. If you would like to familiarize yourself with any of our policies and procedures, refer to the Finance section of the UUFE policies and procedures notebook in the Fellowship office.

Finance Committee members are Jean Rhian (Chair), Jim Bank, Dick Doughty, Jerry Fairbanks, Nancy Dimond, Jane Tereby, George McManus, and Crystal Thomas. Nancy Orr, Bob Woodall, and Chan Swallow also have assisted. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to talk with Jean Rhian.

Finance Committee Requests

It is best for all concerned to give donations to UUFE as checks. Because we keep UUFE funds in two different accounts, it also would be very helpful that you make out different checks for your annual pledge and your capital pledge. Doing so provides the best paper trail for everyone concerned. However, if you give a cash donation, please use an envelope provided on the back table of the sanctuary and put your name on it. Thank you!

The Finance Committee would like to secure for the Fellowship a locking, fire-proof, two-drawer file cabinet for financial records. However, our budget cannot absorb this cost. So if you hear of such a cabinet being disposed of from a place of business or you are thinking of “garage sale-ing” such an item, please consider donating it to UUFE! We will arrange for pickup and delivery.

Joys and Concerns

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

It was with real sadness that we learned of the accidental death of Nancy Orr's brother, John. We are sorry, too, that her dear Buster will no longer be greeting us at her door. Dave Manning's diagnosis of lymphoma has been confirmed, and we offer all our best hopes and willing support for the coming months of treatment.

We share the joy of Jim Bank whose daughter, Sarah, has just been inducted into the Physics National Honor Society. And joy for Dan and Jean Higgins whose granddaughter, Caitlin, was inducted into the Junior Honor Society. (This might be considered a tough standard set for the future of all our Sunday School children!) And, finally, many thanks to all you loyal workers who showed up for our workday on May 1. The grounds were most trim for Jim's installation the next day.

New Member Breakfast, June 6, 8:30 a.m.

A big event of the year is this annual breakfast where the Membership Committee entertains all the year's new members and quizzes their knowledge of Unitarian Universalism in a silly game, complete with prizes. Eric Stocker is the chef, and Eric Striegel is the quiz master. All new members should have received their invitations by now, so start boning up, folks! During the service that follows at 10 a.m., the congregation will welcome those who have joined since our last “sing-them-aboard” in December.

Summary of May Board Meeting Minutes

Minister's Report

Jim Bank thanked all who made the installation a succcess, and the entire Bank family thanks the congregation for the gift to the family dog fund. The family is in the process of moving into their new home in Easton. Worship services have been well attended. Jim also thanked Nicole Meehan for her fine work with the children's RE program.

Report of the Music Director

Patty Rubin discussed considerations regarding employing versus contracting an accompanist. The Personnel Committee is working on a job description and contract. Patty also reported on several special music events, a meeting with an acoustic consultant for the new sanctuary, and attendance at the JPD Music and Arts workshops.

Treasurer's Report

Income year to date is 80% of projected and expenses are 75% of projected. Nancy Dimond has assumed the role of Treasurer except for filing, which George McManus will continue to do.

DRE Search

Discussion is in progress with a well-qualified candidate. The task force will make a recommendation at the next Board meeting.

New Policies

The Board reviewed policies for dealing with budget surpluses and shortfalls. These will be presented at the Annual Meeting.

FY05 Budget and Five-Year Financial Plan

Jean Rhiann presented the budget, which has a shortfall of $7,537; a decision about how to deal with this will be made at the Annual Meeting. The budget will be presented, with categories versus details. A quarterly report will be made to the congregation in the Newsletter regarding budget status. The 5-year plan should be viewed as a planning tool, not an operating budget; key items include minister's salary with progressive increases, mortgage, and cash flow situation. A goal is to achieve consistency between the 5-year plan and each year's operating budget.

Building Expansion

Dick Doughty reported that the well failed again but will eventually pass. On May 12, the committee will meet with the County Zoning Board for a site plan review, then the architect will make final revisions. Dick is investigating subcontractors for electrical and HVAC. A change in phasing of the project is under way, with the new plan to include two trailers side by side for a temporary sanctuary and RE in the current space. This change will cause less turmoil and less cost overall. Construction will start in September or October, with a congregational meeting in early fall to approve moving ahead with the 5-year plan.

Review of Long-Range Plan

Nancy Krueger presented the Long-Range Plan for Board review before approval at the Annual Meeting. The plan will be used for the Chalice Lighters Grant. It should be considered a working document that the Board will review quarterly for progress and revision. A document will be developed for each year, with specific responsibilities and resources identified, to be used by committees and staff.

New Business

The annual retreat for Board and staff will be held either October 2 or October 9.

Healthy Congregations Workshops Update

Bob Woodall, Nancy Dimond, Cynthia Quast, Frank Greenburg, Jim Bank, and myself, Jean Rhian, attended the third meeting of the Healthy Congregations Workshop in Annapolis. Again, viewing the church as an interrelated system was emphasized. A video and group discussions helped us to recognize the role that leaders play within a congregation to create truthfulness, openness, and an environment for trust and commitment to the greater good. This course encourages leaders to be “self-differentiated.” We were reminded that the church, just like other organizations, “must be ordered, cared for, and fed” (Larry Rasmussen). We also talked about forgiveness and reconciliation. The class is an opportunity to reflect on our past congregational life and consider the future in a learning atmosphere. If you would like to know more about our experiences and this course ask any of us. It's interesting. You may want to attend when it is offered again.