February 2004

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship At Easton, Maryland

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

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 of Religious Education: Mary Lou Keller, 410-763-6508

Music Director: Patty Rubin, 410-745-2000

Minister Emeritus: Daniel G. Higgins, Jr. D. Min., 410-745-3462

Newsletter Editor: Amy Eutsey, 410-820-7971

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

Sunday School, 11:00 a.m.

Snow Cancellations

If there is any question of whether we are holding services on a Sunday morning, tune into our local radio station, WCEI 96.7 FM, for an announcement. For meetings during the week, please call the person in charge of the event.

February Sermons

Feb. 1, “New African.” This morning’s sermon, honoring Black History Month, is a story that speaks from the black religious tradition.

Feb. 8, “Hinduism: A World Religions Sermon.” By special request, Jim begins a world religions series with Hinduism, from which so much cones down to us.

Feb. 15, “Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Madison, and Religious Freedom.” Presidents Jefferson and Madison were champions of our constitutional right to religious freedom, yet each saw the results differently. This sermon looks at the reasons why. Special Choir music at the 9 a.m. service, guitarist Lynn Henderson guitar at the 11.

Feb. 22, “A House of Dreams.” As we begin our canvass for our annual program expenses and our capital fund drive, Jim wants to talk about the dreams that have been a part of our community for so many years.

Feb. 29,“Daring to Love: Reality TV and Relationship.” What is behind the current popularity of the numerous reality shows crowding the airwaves? Could it be that we feel safer caring about strangers on the television set than we do reaching out to our neighbors? If so, it could be that the national fascination with TV personalities is damaging our communities and our children. Our speaker, Rev. Liz Stevens, is a graduate of Yale University and Starr King School for the Ministry and was ordained by the First Parish Church in Duxbury, MA. She currently is staying home with her two young sons in Alexandria, VA.

Ministerial Musings

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.

Two Campaigns in One

Before February is over we will have launched our every-member canvass to support our Fellowship’s annual program and we will have begun our capital fund drive. The first of these will support us through the next year, making sure that we have the funds to provide the programs and worship services we have come to expect, to pay our staff appropriately, and to ensure that our utilities aren’t shut off. It’s the same thing we all do for ourselves yearly, if not monthly, like buying gas and groceries, allotting funds for new clothing, and so forth. The second, the capital fund drive, will help us to refurbish our building, improve our classrooms, and add a new sanctuary. This is more like buying a new car, a refrigerator, or some other “major item” that we will keep for a number of years.

All of us use different pockets to pay for these two needs in our lives. For the things that sustain us from day to day, we draw from our everyday pocket. But when we buy the major items, we use different planning and different funds—an entirely different pocket. We recognize that we are making a long-term investment and ask different sorts of questions regarding how much we can expend and how we will pay for our decisions. We dip into our savings or contract for a long-term loan or mortgage. We ask ourselves about the future we are planning and how whatever we’re buying will fit into these plans both now and down the line.

Quite a number of our members have been giving as much time as possible to planning for what we need to do in a very short period. I find myself amazed by the generous gifts of time they are making to see that all the special programs and events for these two drives will come off well. There’ll be time to ask questions and offer advice; to hear the dreams that have motivated us to reach the point we’re at; to ponder the future we want for our children, ourselves, and our community; to share our fears and our hopes. There’ll be time to ponder what we as individuals want to do and can afford to do. Then each of us will make the decisions we can regarding our activities and our finances.

I remember other occasions in other congregations when similar decisions have had to be made. I recall a large church that rallied around the call for a completely new church home; a little fellowship that conducted a capital fund drive to be able to afford their first minister in 25 years; a church that used its capital giving not only to refurbish its building, but also to tell each other how important the congregation still was in each of their lives. In every case, I felt awed at how people came together to make their long-term dreams possible and to carry on with their short-term needs. And then, when they had done so, they celebrated.

May we do the same. May we talk and share and give together—to our annual budget and to our capital fund drive. And then, may we celebrate all that we have done and all that we will be able to do in the next year and in many years to come through the gifts we make. See you at the Fellowship Sunday!

Jim Bank

From the Co-Presidents

Our mission statement begins by declaring, “The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Easton seeks to nurture spiritual and intellectual growth for all ages….” What better example could we have of how we are striving to fulfill this mission than the schedule of Adult Religious Education programs for Spring 2004 that was included in last month’s Newsletter?

Adult RE Committee chair Laura Lathan and committee members Anne Altvater, Gene Goll, Jim Bank, and Gail Woodall can be proud of the classes they are offering. The Wednesday night “drop-in” format was Laura’s brainchild. She believes that it is important to schedule a consistent date and time and that having classes that do not require registration or advance notice of attendance fit busy lifestyles. Laura also has encouraged the committee to strive for balance among topics relating to spirituality, social justice, artistic expression, and intellectual pursuits.

The Wednesday evening format has become popular, and attendance ranges from 10 to 20 people. This is an astounding 10% to 20% of our membership! This spring, the Adult RE Committee will offer a five-session class where registration is required. The offering is a response to member requests for help in how to talk about Unitarian Universalism to others. “Articulating Your UU Faith” uses a curriculum developed by Barbara Wells and Jaco B. ten Hove, co-ministers at the Paint Branch UU Church in Adelphi, MD. They have agreed to participate in one of the classes, and Nancy Dimond will be the facilitator for all five sessions.

Of course, the committee could not offer classes without the leadership of members and friends of the fellowship. This spring Sue Loweree, George McManus, Ann Jacobs, Chan Swallow, Jim Quast, Mary Lou Keller, Beth Jones, and Nancy Dimond all will lead classes. A number of classes also will be presented by members of the wider community. Finally, no adult education program could be successful without participants. We have room for all, so please take a look at the yellow sheet of scheduled classes that arrived in your January Newsletter or pick up a brochure from the table in the foyer. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesdays.

Gail Woodall

Gatherings

Chinese New Year, Feb. 1

Join this intergenerational gathering between services at 10:15. Meet others who share your Asian zodiac year and make a red paper lantern to carry in a procession around our sacred space. We also will make a joyful noise to keep away the evil spirits for another year. Delicious samples of Asian treats provided. For at least 2 billion people, this is the most important time of the year.

Men’s Lunch Bunch, Feb. 7 & 18

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

Women’s Luncheon, Feb. 12

Looking for something quieter, we are going to try The Tidewater Inn, who has a nice lunch buffet at a reasonable price. Please call Anne Lemp (410-822-9370) to be included in the reservation. But don’t hesitate to come at the last moment; we can always squeeze in another!

Dinner and a Movie Night, Feb. 13

This month’s movie is “Hero.” The story is set two centuries before the Chinese empire in China’s Warring-States period. From the producer of Academy Award–Winning “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Hero” was nominated for both the Oscar and the Golden Globe in 2002. Subtitled; PG13 for violence. Please bring a Chinese dish to share. Showtime is 6:30 p.m.

Vegetarian Potluck, Feb. 17

Join us the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. for vegetarian fare and discussion. The theme this month is Food You Love...any favorite vege dish or romantic specialty, salad, bread, or dessert. There’s always lots of good food, so stop by and sample our cooking. Also, tell your vegetarian friends about our group. Even if you aren’t vegetarian, you will enjoy the food and company, guaranteed! Call Dana Keller (410-763-6508) for more info.

Knitting, Etc., Feb. 21

Now gathering on the third Saturday of each month is a group for knitters and other needle crafters. Come to UUFE at 10 a.m. and knit; talk; share a cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa; and enjoy the camaraderie of those who share your passion. Beginners are welcome. No need to notify us ahead of time, but questions can be directed to Janet Pfeffer or Gail Woodall. Over time, perhaps this will be a good place to share ideas, patterns, tools, and extra yarns.

Book Discussion Group, Feb. 27

Let’s get together at 11:30 a.m. (note the new time) and talk about our Christmas books and select another title for a joint discussion in March. Bring a brown bag; the kettle will be on; and “we’ll all have tea.”

Jazz Coffee House, Feb. 27

Please join us from 7 to 9 p.m. for this special event, featuring Kiwako Shimuzu and other area performers. Kiwako is visiting from Japan on a P.E.A.C.E.-sponsored cultural exchange program. She is a talented professional musician, pianist, and vocalist with a broad repertoire. Please let Mary Lou know if you want to play or help out. Child care will be provided, so bring the family. No admission, but donations will be accepted.

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.

Children’s Religious Education

When I started this job in August 2002, we decided to stretch the teacher pool and add a class for 3- and 4-year-olds, even though Claire Anovick, Jordan Eutsey, and Cailyn Thomas were the only three we could count on. We hadn’t recruited any teachers yet, but the RE Committee agreed that we needed to do our best for all ages. I knew that RE programs grow from the ground up because young children tend to bring their friends. Sure enough, we now have 12 preschoolers who attend regularly, and the explosion has just begun! They are an active group, of course, as are our early elementary group, so they need adequate space to feel comfortable here.

The only way to slow down the growth of the program now is to not support it spacewise. If we fully support RE, I believe that we will have at least twice as many children in 2 years as we have now, with 40 to 50 children on a regular Sunday! And these children bring active parents. The size of the new RE space will be the limitation on how well we serve the total community. In a sense, a small RE space ensures an older demographic for our future. Most vibrant congregations support children’s RE as integral to keeping new energy flowing in, so keep that in mind when thinking new building. RE is one key to a healthy long-term future. If we build a sanctuary that will house 200 comfortably, our RE space should hold at least half that, or we will become a much grayer group. Please stop by RE any Sunday morning during coffee hour to witness first hand how we are already bursting at the seams in our little space.

We have several opportunities coming up for you to interact with the children and, hopefully, appreciate the joy and vitality they (and their families) bring to our community. I have heard many parents share how much they value this liberal spiritual community and have seen the bonds grow among children and parents. I see parents teaching, serving on committees, and taking leadership roles. If we serve families well now, they will stay around to be the elders of tomorrow. We are making a difference here on the Eastern Shore, and we are on the verge of making a major contribution to the liberal community that exists here. It may take a leap of faith, but I believe that “if we build it, they will come.” Do we want “them?” I think so. In fact, I think we need them to secure our future.

With faith,

Mary Lou

Secret Friends, Feb. 15 to Mar. 28

Soon we will launch 6 weeks of “Secret Friends,” where every child in our RE program will be paired with an adult and share messages and tokens. The adults will know who their secret friend is and are expected to reach out in some small way each week either through a card, phone call, small gift (think Dollar store), or snack. We will have mailbags for each child in the lobby across from the nursery, and Mary Lou will have a small stash of goodies to share with those adults who need help. Because the RE group is involved with the Heifer Project Read to Feed program, we especially encourage book sharing and animal-related items. The program ends with an “unveiling,” where the children meet their new friend and share a potluck lunch and good times. Look for Mary Lou as she recruits adults for this fun program.

Parent Meeting, Feb. 8

Crystal Thomas will lead a discussion of the book and music included in Circle Round, which is especially great for long car rides! Bring a child-friendly potluck item and join us in the RE wing from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.

Teacher Meeting, Feb. 15

Teachers will get together to see how the year is going so far and learn a new skill or two for the rest of the year. If you are considering teaching next year, please let Mary Lou know, or join us for this meeting in the RE wing from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Pizza provided.

Homeschool Outreach, Japan (due to Feb. snow cancellation)

On Tuesday, February 24, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., we will invite area homeschoolers to join us in an exploration of the fascinating country of Japan. The children will enjoy arts and crafts, music, stories, and Japanese cuisine, with the Lunar New Year being highlighted. Please let Mary Lou know if you have something special you could offer this program.

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 shocking to hear that, following her father’s death, Nancy Wohlsen was struck by a car in the street near her mother’s house. Nancy has undergone tedious hip surgery, and her recovery will be long. Rene Bond is our contact for updates and communication. Our hopes and prayers go out to Nancy as well as to Pat Tovatt, Patricia Ford, and Laura Winne who have continuing concerns for the health of family members.

We share the joy of Stephanie Sheldon and Phillip Allman, former members of our Youth Group, were married last month in our sanctuary. Jean Rhian lit a candle of joy for her son, Ethan, who has announced his engagement. Cathy Miller has shared the happy news of her Army promotion and an arrangement to now work from home, a situation that eases her move to the Eastern Shore. She and husband, Jim Bank, currently are house-hunting, and we wish them early success. And, if you haven’t done so yet, do walk out south past the annex and look at the stakes that mark the approximate location of our soon-to-be-built sanctuary. The connection between them and the present building will be a glass-sided foyer with a lovely outlook to the rear of our land.

Welcome New Members

We wish to extend a warm welcome to new members:

Ken Court

Margaret (Maggie) Garey

Tracey O’Shay

Office Doings

Volunteering

We are grateful for the UUFE office volunteers who keep things running from 10 to 2 weekdays. Not only are they a cheering presence, but they also receive phone calls, check e-mail, sort mail, work the calendar, do many odd jobs that pop up, and provide a large savings to our budget. Currently, we have a blank spot from 10 to 12 on Wednesdays. If you could fill that period or might like to be trained as a substitute, call Edie Swallow (410-745-5170). Meanwhile, let’s give three cheers for Lois Greenburg, Nancy Orr, Jean Rhian, Debbie Whitney, and Mary Young. Thank you, ladies.

New Copier

Our 5-year-old photocopier is coming to the end of its useful life. We have a new machine on order, but it won’t be delivered for another 2 weeks. You may continue to use the old machine, but it is making smudged copies. We thank the local Xerox office for letting us produce this issue of the Newsletter on its machines. Thank you!

Adult Religious Education

Film Discussions

Our film discussions are based on the principle that going to the movies can often be a spiritual experience. The theme of our films this spring is “Being Present.” Each evening will begin with a light supper, eaten while viewing the film, followed by discussion. Dates: Feb. 4, Mar. 3, & Apr. 7 · Time: 6 to 9 p.m. · Cost: A donation for dinner will be requested. Leader: Gail Woodall

Feb. 4, Film Discussion: “Smoke.” This movie reveals the spiritual connections that link people together and provide glints of meaning in a world of suffering, loss, loneliness, and separations. “People say you have to travel to see the world. Sometimes I think that if you just stay in one place and keep your eyes open, you’re going to see just about all you can handle.” Leader: Gail Woodall

Feb. 11, “Mary, Mary!” This session will focus on the life of Mary Livermore, the 19th century Unitarian and Universalist public speaker, crusader, feminist, and editor. Leader: Jim Bank

Feb. 18, “The Epic of Evolution.” In today’s scientific world, we often feel isolated from the earth and one another, but science can reveal our unity with all creation. Tonight, we will honor our journey, which began with the birth of the universe, and remember that we are stardust. Leader: Chan Swallow

Feb. 25, “Life Between Lives: Soul Regression.” “For those of us who have had the opportunity to actually see our immortality, a new depth of self and understanding and empowerment emerges” (Michael Newton, PhD). Leader: Dr. Jim Quast.

Music Notes

This year I went to two Martin Luther King, Jr., Day programs, one more to connect with the community where I live and one more for the music…or so I thought. Listening to the soloists at the first program, I had the luxury of entering the individuals’ expressions of faith and humanity without the momentary but inevitable terror of being in that vulnerable position myself. When it came time for us all to stand and sing “We Shall Overcome,” community and music fed one another’s strengths.

At the second, I met members of my farther-flung communities and found that the music, once again, made yet another community of even those unfamiliar to me there. When the choir sang, I had the privilege of being part of the group responding to the choir’s music; some nodding or tapping; some humming or singing softly, in unison or in harmony; some murmuring, “Amen.” When we all sang “We Shall Overcome,” those on either side felt like neighbors for at least that short time. I am grateful to have been well-reminded that music is not separable from community.

Besides during our Sunday services at 9 and 11 a.m., read on about some of the upcoming opportunities to share music through the UUFE community. For a small congregation we sure make a lot of sound!

Patty Rubin

Choir Calendar

Choir rehearsals are every Thursday evening from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday morning rehearsals for the month of February are 10:10 a.m. on the 15th and 10:30 a.m. on the 22nd (special Choir music Sunday). There is no Choir on the 1st, 8th, or 29th.

Song Circle, Feb. 16 & 23

Join us Feb. 16 for a Presidents’ Day potluck at 6 p.m. and music from 7 to 9 p.m. Our regular gathering will be Monday, Feb. 23, from 7 to 9 p.m.