July/August 2004

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Easton, MD

7401 Ocean Gateway, POB 1162, Easton, MD 21601; 410-822-8103

uufeaston@bluecrab.org

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

Sunday School, 10 a.m.

Minister

Rev. James M. Bank,

301-633-4274 or 410-822-8103

Co-Presidents

Gail Woodall, 410-820-8541

Janet Pfeffer, 410-770-9540

Director Religious Education

Nicole Meehan, 410-901-1488

Music Director

Patty Rubin, 410-745-2000

Minister Emeritus

Daniel G. Higgins, Jr., DMin, 410-745-3462

Newsletter Editor

Amy Eutsey, 410-820-7971

July/August Sermons

July 4, "Independence Day Community Circle." Dwayne Eutsey will lead this morning's discussion on Thomas Jefferson and what his strong views on religious freedom mean to us today.

July 11, "The Places That Scare You." Inspired by a text written by Pema Chodron, Laura Winne will share some wisdom from various teachers about finding meaning in the midst of our fear, staying with it, moving beyond it, and learning from it.

July 18, "Lessons From Summer," Nancy Orr will share thoughts on being

present in this season of fullness.

July 25, "To Err Is Human. The Trick Is Acceptance." Patrick Tovatt will share some ruminations on the inevitability of imperfection in all that is human...on sin and guilt, the dark twins.

Aug. 1, "Dimensions of Reality." Cynthia Quast will take a look at where physics and philosophy converge.

Aug 8. "Dr. Freeman of Boston." One of the opportunities of the summer months is to present a bit of UU history in the form of a sermon. Jim Bank will present a biographical sketch of the first avowedly Unitarian minister in the U.S.

August 15

Finding God in My Own Image

Rene Bond will share a woman's perspective on the search for the feminine divine. With help from friends, she will explore why many women need woman-honoring symbols and stories in order to make "religion" meaningful.  After the service, there will be a brief meeting for those interested in the Adult RE course "Rise Up and Call Her Name" being offered this fall.

Aug. 22, "A Visit to Palestine." Local peace activist Bruce Butler will discuss his recent visit to Palestinian communities in Israel. Come hear about his sometimes harrowing, but ultimately hopeful experiences in that troubled part of the world.

Aug. 29, "Why Are We Truthful?" This morning's program is based on a sketch by the philosopher Robert Smullyan. Jim Bank will lead this program in which we will consider why truthfulness is so important to us.

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: 410-770-9772; E-mail: jmbatmd@aol.com

Messages also can be left on the office line. Please call ahead to make an appointment

Jim will be on vacation the end of July thru early August

At Home in Easton

_A

I’m reminded of a move about 20 years ago when a different house was in similar dishevelment. My eldest daughter was only 4 and sat amid a heap of boxes with the plastic telephone that was about all she had for play. She was practicing imaginary calls, doing a creditable version of one side of a conversation, complete with partial sentences and silent spaces to hear what the other person was saying. I was digging out the absolute necessities of the moment from the stack of boxes marked “Open Me First.”

At her plastic phone, Julia said, “Brrring, Brrring, Brrring…Hello! Oh yes, how are you!... Yes...Yes...No....Well, he’s right here. I’ll get him for you.”

Then covering the mouthpiece, she turned to me, “It’s your mother,” she said. “She wants you.”

My mother had been dead for over a decade, but I dropped my search and went over to the phone immediately. “Hello, Mom,” I said. “I’ve been expecting a call from you!”

Now I find myself listening for another such call, reaching across the barriers of time and space. I figure Mom could help in sorting out what to do next in these harem-scarem moments. And I’d be glad for her assistance. But on the other hand, day will follow day, and in each one a bit more will be put in the right place until finally, some time in August, the whole house will look like it’s supposed to. Then we will truly be at home in Easton.

See you at the Fellowship on Sundays!

Jim Bank

Presidents’ Choice

Gail and I have decided to rename this column. Henceforth, it is called “Presidents’ Choice” to highlight our desire to, from time to time, invite committee chairs or others in our UUFE family to share their news and thoughts.

Going Once…Going Twice…Sold!

volunteered myself, as Fund-Raising Committee acting chair, to highlight the UUFE Service Auction, scheduled for Friday, October 22, and another related way to serve our Fellowship, a Service Exchange.

UUFE has had seven annual service auctions, beginning in February 1997. We raised between $2K and $5K at each, selling dinner parties, food in almost any format, assistance (computer lessons, cleaning, etc.), artwork and fine crafts, boating trips, vacation houses, sermons on a topic of choice…hundreds of items offered, requested, paid for, and delivered over the years.

You didn't miss this year's auction; we took a break. Holding the 2004 auction in October means that we can offer items for the holidays. It's time to start dreaming about what to give and what to request. I would love to e-mail or hand you a copy of a previous year's auction for inspiration (jpfeffer@goeaston.net).

Debbie Whitney has made an offer that has inspired us to try an all-year Service Exchange. She has generously donated 25% of the commission that she earned as real estate agent when Jim Bank and Cathy Miller purchased their new Easton home. She has offered to repeat this for any other UUFE member who might use her real estate expertise. Thank you, Debbie!

It dawned on me that if I take up Jake Jacobs's generous offer to help me with some home repairs, I can thank Jake for his time and expertise by giving a Service Exchange donation to UUFE. Gail Woodall has offered to bake birthday cakes; many of us would probably knit scarves on demand; maybe others will offer plants or vegetables from their garden, or lasagna at cost with donation to UUFE. Let Patty Joiner (410-770-8836; pjoiner@crosslink.net) or me know if you'd like to join us for coffee to work out the details.

Janet Pfeffer

Gatherings

Men’s Lunch Bunch, July 7 & 21, Aug. 4 & 18

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

Women’s Luncheon, July 8 & Aug. 12, Noon

We will meet now on second Thursdays at the Town Dock Restaurant in St. Michaels. The venue is on the water at the foot of E. Mulberry Street. Please try to let Anne Lemp (410-822-9370) know whether you are coming so that she can make arrangements. We can squeeze you in at the last minute, but an earlier word to Anne saves her trying to hunt you up a seat.

Dinner and a Movie Night

July 9: “In America”

By director Jim Sheridan, this film follows an Irish family searching for a better life in America. The dinner theme is American or Irish food.

August 13: “Pirates of the Caribbean”

Starring Johnny Depp and Geoffrey Rush, this Walt Disney film is an action-packed adventure for the whole family (rated PG-13). Bring a favorite potluck item to this show.

Showtime is 6:30 p.m.

Knitting, Etc., July 17 & Aug. 21

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.

A warm welcome to Sasha Bank, who by virtue of now just living down the road from the Fellowship will be joining us regularly.

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.

Youth Group

Every Thursday at 5:30 p.m., our teens have been meeting for an open, safe place for honest conversation. By request, we will be taking a short hiatus, but will resume in September and perhaps meet off and on during the summer. 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 welcome kids from outside the Fellowship who may need such a group, so pass the word. Another advisor to round out our team is needed. Please see Nicole Meehan if you have the energy to join us and get to know these remarkable youth.

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers. —Charles W. Eliot

Book Discussion Group returns in September

Children’s Religious Education

From the New DRE

Seventh-Principle Summer

Dignity. Compassion. Democracy. Conscience. And, oh yeah, Inherent. Big words for our children to explain or comprehend, especially when many of the littlest are still practicing that 10-syllable load of Unitarian Universalist. But after 9 months of play, work, introspection, and laughter, the RE children have completed this year's curriculum of UU Identity. Central to this study, of course, was an exploration of our Principles and Purposes. Our summer program will carry forth these ideas by focusing on one Principle in particular.

With ceiling fans whirling and a nature trailing beckoning, the Seventh Principle is a natural for summer classes. This Principle calls for our respect for the interdependent web of all existence. And yes, that means slugs, spiders, and snakes too. We have already filled our Sundays with such lessons. We have fingered cicadas, linked our breakfast to the worldwide food chain, made flower wreaths, and celebrated the Solstice. We have even tried to reckon why there is such a thing as a mosquito! And we are just beginning: During the next few weeks we will be exploring the four elements, stewardship, recycling, endangered animals, and more. Please join us as a teacher or assistant if you are so called. The kids also will be enjoying a great deal of our outdoors, and we can always use extra adults to lead nature trail walks for the older, more restless kids during RE.

I look forward to a wonderful summer and a year full of plans and progress! Walk gently,

Nicole Meehan

On behalf of the UUFE, I would like to extend a warm welcome and congratulations to Nicole as our new DRE. She has great talent, insight, energy, and rapport with the parents and kids. May this be a fun and fulfilling adventure for you, Nicole!

Amy :o)

UUFE Camping Trip

We are planning a July camping and/or day trip getaway for our RE families at Tuckahoe State Park. All members and friends of the Fellowship are welcome. The park provides ranger-led environmental activities and a ropes course, which should prove to be a ton of fun! More info to come when the date is set, so keep an eye and ear open for a Sunday announcement or contact Nicole for details.

Children’s RE Committee 2004–2005

Congratulations and thanks to Amy Eutsey for volunteering to become next year's RE Committee chair. Many additional kudos to Crystal Thomas, Mary Lou Keller, and Jim Bank for an excellent year! Anyone who would like to participate in the Children's RE Committee next year is very welcome. Please speak with Amy or Nicole. Meetings have been on the second Tuesday of each month from September to June at 3:30 p.m., but that can change if need be. We are especially on the lookout for committee members from all segments of our diverse Fellowship, not just parents!