Music Notes

Accompanist Search

Candidates for the new UUFE accompanist are now being considered. If you, or someone you know, is interested in this compensated position, please speak with Margaret Garey (410-822-2953) or Patty Rubin. Networking often is the best way to find talent; please ask around!

Got Storage?

Do you happen to have a chunk of climate-controlled space available? The Music committee has begun background research to prepare to search for and acquire a suitable new or used piano for the new sanctuary. We hope the timing of this process coincides with the sanctuary’s readiness. However, an alternate storage space could broaden the possibilities if an unexpected opportunity arises.

Patty’s Hmmm…

I can hear so many echoes of the past year as I sort piles of music and papers. At the same time, I hum bits of music that might be in the coming year as I set aside pieces for the 2004–05 folder. I wonder where I'll put all the wonderful music and ideas that I'll bring back from the national UUMN conference this August! Wishing you a rejuvenating summer,

Patty Rubin

Drumming Circle, July 16 & Aug. 20

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, July 23 & Aug. 27

The Song Circle will meet regularly on the fourth Friday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. No talent is required, but guitar, drum, and other instrument players are welcomed and appreciated. We'll continue to use the Rise Up Singing songbook. You also can bring copies of a song, with guitar chords, to share. We look forward to seeing you there! For more information, contact Dave Moore (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).

Adult Religious Education

Come Rise Up and Call Her Name

Given sufficient interest, UUFE will again offer this intensive 13-week course in the fall. It was developed by the UUA and first given at the UUFE in 1995. Thirteen women participated and found it invaluable. RISE UP explores (through readings, chants, crafts, dances, meditations, and film) Earth-centered, woman-honoring religions from ancient to modern times from all parts of the Earth. The course will be self-led (we'll all take turns and follow the manual) and limited in size. No talent or expertise is required, just a commitment to as regular attendance as possible. Those with any interest are invited to attend a brief organizational meeting following the service on August 15. Rene Bond will convene this first meeting. If you have questions, please contact Rene (410-763-8661).

One is not born a woman, one becomes one. —Simone de Beauvoir

Healing Naturally

Learn Reiki

Lucy Viamonti will rent our space to give Reiki workshops. Reiki uses the body's own energy to relax and stimulate the immune systems to promote healing. It is becoming more widely accepted as a valuable alternative treatment to improve health. If you are interested in becoming a learner, please call Lucy at 410-820-7657.

Joys and Concerns

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

Our members have experienced some joyous milestones and occasions. Jane and John Tereby attended the college graduation of their daughter, Laura. Jane’s father was able to travel with them for the event, which added to everyone's enjoyment. Nancy Dimond’s parents traveled to Japan in May, and in June they observed their 50th wedding anniversary. Len Janssen’s daughter, Mary Kay, graduated from college and has been accepted into a graduate school program.

We were very saddened to hear of the death of Nancy Orr’s brother in a car accident in Ohio. Nancy had other difficult things to face at the same time, including the death of her beloved old cat Buster, a fall that resulted in an injured wrist, and surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. Our thoughts have been with her during these very hard times. Laura Lathan’s grandmother had surgery for a second hip replacement. David Manning has started his chemotherapy treatment following a diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease. He appreciates phone calls and visits (call first) and is feeling much more optimistic now that treatment is under way. By the time our Newsletter goes to press, Julie Striegel will have had surgery (June 23) for the removal of an ovarian cyst. We wish her well and hope to see her back with us in early July. Also, Mark Stevens, the son of Janet Pfeffer and David Stevens will have had facial reconstructive surgery (June 18). And finally, Polly Thompson is still not feeling up to returning for worship service but assures us that she will be back “one of these days.”

Joe Thome Is Doing Great!

Karl Lemp reports that Joe is making a good recovery from the stroke, speaking clearly, and in high spirits. He's walking a bit more each day by himself and with Gwen's help. He should be able to drive again within a month or so. Joe sends his best wishes to all. He really likes to get phone calls (509-526-4051), and he'd welcome a visit from any of us who find ourselves in the vicinity of Walla Walla, Washington!

Board News

Minutes From the June Meeting

The minutes from the June 2004 Board meeting will be posted to the Web later this summer.

Mark Your Calendars!

Leadership Retreat, Oct. 9

Our Leadership Retreat has been scheduled for Saturday, October 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This important annual event helps us to get started on the right foot for our upcoming church year. We would like all Board members and Committee chairs to attend as well as those in other leadership positions. More information will be coming your way in September, but please mark your calendars NOW.

Healthy Congregations Workshops Update

aturday, June 12, was the last in our series of four Healthy Congregations Workshops held in Annapolis and led by Rev. Richard Speck, our District Executive Director. Life is about relationships, and in the first part of this workshop, we focused on the art of helping others in our congregations. A video dramatization effectively illustrated the difference between "caring for" others and "taking care of" them. In healthy congregations, care is freely given, but care is neither mindless nor boundaryless. Some helping actually hinders both the helper and the one helped, and attempting to fix or rescue others may not be helpful at all. Unhealthy helping relationships develop when balance is lost in the relationship; each side overfunctions. A thought-provoking fable also helped us consider some of the difficulties of helping relationships.

Healthy congregations develop generous people, and so next we considered the concept of stewardship. Stewardship begins with the recognition that all of life is interdependent; that we have received many gifts from others; and that a grateful, generous response is our task and calling. We had small and large group discussions about the meaning of stewardship and considered our various attitudes about money.

These workshops have created an opportunity for the participants to learn about building better relationships both among ourselves and with the larger community. We are discussing ways that we may share what we have gained with the congregation, and we invite you to seek us out for discussion about this process. The attendees were Jim Bank, Nancy Dimond, Jean Rhian, Gail Woodall, Frank Greenburg, and myself, Cynthia Quast.

Social Action

Fair Trade Coffee

The first Fair Trade Coffee has been ordered and distributed. Orders will be place on the first of each month, with a request list posted on the back table of the sanctuary 2 weeks before ordering. This UUSC project ensures fair prices to small growers in South America, Asia, and Africa.

Time To Think About the Winter Holidays

Service Auction & Dessert

Friday, October 22

A special committee is now forming to take your offers for holiday baking, decorating, present-wrapping, and gifts as well as traditional service auction offerings, such as dinner parties, housework services, trips, and so forth. Mark the date on your calendar to bid on a bounty of diverse and unique offerings. If you are interested in serving on the committee, please contact Janet Pfeffer (jpfeffer@goeaston.net).