July/August 2003
July/August 2003
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
Sunday Service & School, 10:00 a.m.
July & August
Sermons
July 6, “Fears That Divide.” This
morning, our service will be a Community Circle. Participants will be invited
to share as they feel moved to speak from a “heart-not-head” perspective on the
chosen topic. Leader: Janet Pfeffer
July 13, “Why Mentoring?” Mentoring's power and
potential is best described as a community development strategy because it
increases “social capital,” the social ties that link members of a community to
one another. The more connected we are to our community, the better the quality
of life for all. Leader: Nancy Andrew, Executive Director of Talbot Mentors, a
volunteer, community-based youth mentoring program
July 20, “Transitions.” Richard
Nugent, Accredited Interim Minister, will address us again on the transitions
that we are going through as a congregation. Additional time for discussion
will follow the service.
July 27, “Defining Our 'Good News.'” UUA
President William Sinkford's call for a return to “a vocabulary of reverence”
has aroused heated debate. What does this mean to us as individuals and as a
congregation? Leader: Nancy Orr
Aug. 3, “The Value of Taking a Fearless Moral Inventory.” Part of progress is a deep internal evaluation; this sermon is inspired
by the fourth step of the 12-step program. Leader: Laura Winne
Aug. 17, “Wilkes, Satan, and Religious Tolerance.”
An inspiration to the American Revolutionaries, the Brit John Wilkes began
demanding individual rights in the 1750s. His inclination toward religious tolerance
provides a perspective for the subject today, especially for UUs. Leader: Gene
Goll
Aug. 24, “Getting Ready for the New Church Year.”
Jim Bank asks that we join in pondering what the coming year will be like with
all the changes we have planned.
Aug. 31, “Die Young--as Late as Possible.”
In his last book before his death, Ashley Montagu expounded a theory of
continuing to grow young as we age. Come share his insights into curiosity,
open-mindedness, and playfulness, which can expand our productive years far
past what society dictates. Leader: Mary Lou Keller
Ministerial Thoughts
During
the summer, Jim Bank will be on vacation from July 14 through July 30. During
the other weekdays and weekends of July and August, he will be working at home,
preparing for next year’s program. He will be available, however, by appointment
and will be in Easton at least once a week. His e-mail
address is jmbatmd@aol.com.
His personal phone number is 301-633-4274. His home phone is 301-445-0159.
Ikea
We've been going to Ikea for years. I bought the bookcases in the
minister's office there years ago, and they have traveled with me from one interim
location to another. We would buy Christmas trees there because Ikea recycled
them in the parking lot after Christmas. Our “good silver” is a plate set
bought there as well as one of our best comforters. And when the girls were
little, it was our family restaurant of choice and affordability.
So when I read that a new
store was opening 15 minutes from my front door, I had to be there for opening
day. I tried to get Cathy to come along, but her day and night were already too
full. She knew, though, that this was some sort of religious moment for me and urged
me to take Sasha to the new emporium. With no resistance to the idea, the two
of us drove off for Valhalla, Sasha repeating a mantra that she and her friends
had invented: Ikea is good, Ikea is great. We surrender our cash as of this
date!
We first ate our favorite
dinner of Swedish meatballs and a special opening day dessert. Then we began to
wander through the first-floor displays, which went on and on. Sasha had to try
all the sofas and half the chairs and admired every lamp from cheap to expensive.
We drooled over several rugs and were amazed when new vistas of furniture and
accessories opened up at every turn.
Three quarters of the way
through our lower-floor wanderings, Sasha had had enough exercise. So we
checked out, buying nothing more than three bottles of sparkling juice and a Cycas
revoluta that reminded me of the ones we used to grow in Okinawa.
Cathy, as well as I, was
impressed that we did not buy more stuff when we're trying to get rid of half
of what we have. But I'll probably buy more the next visit. After all, it's
good and great and worth surrendering a bit of cash.
It's been suggested that for
next year's auction, Cathy and I offer a “bed and breakfast” in our new
apartment for someone who wants a place to go either before or after a shopping
expedition to this Mecca of sales and décor. But we couldn’t offer dinner.
Who'd eat here when those Swedish meatballs beckon from Ikea?!
See you at
the Fellowship on Sundays—and during the weeks as well!—Jim Bank
From the Co-Presidents
As we begin our new fiscal year, Janet
Pfeffer and I want to thank the congregation for voting its confidence in our
leadership. We will do our best to continue what Beth Jones has started and to
tackle new tasks as they come.
UUFE has been
presented with many big decisions over the past years, and we have risen to
enormous challenges. Now I want to switch gears. Don`t Sweat the Small Stuff
is a book that has been a runaway bestseller over the past few years. However,
the “small stuff” often results in a bumpy road and obstacles to reaching goals
in a community such as ours. So, although I am not proposing that we sweat
the small stuff, I want to offer a plan for handling small vexations and
problems as they occur.
At a recent Board President and Staff meeting,
we acknowledged that the people most likely to find themselves on the receiving
end of criticism are the Minister, the Director of Religious Education, the
Music Director, and the Co-Presidents. We would like individuals to approach us
directly if they have a concern with anything we have said or done or with the
way that we are functioning in our roles. We also recommend the following path
that a third party may take if approached with a complaint:
1.
Ask the individual to address the
complaint directly to the person
involved.
2.
If the individual is reluctant to do that,
offer to go with him or her for support.
3.
If that solution is not acceptable, offer to
relay the information on the individual's behalf, making clear that you would
not do so anonymously.
4.
If none of the above is acceptable, try to
step back
and remove yourself from the interaction.
Problems, hurts, dissatisfactions, and complaints that never find their
way to the person who is able to correct them tend to grow. Dealing with the
“small stuff” in a healthy way gives us the energy and good humor to face the
bigger challenges. Janet and I are looking forward to the opportunity to tackle
the major challenges of calling a minister and completing a successful capital
campaign. We know there will be a sprinkling of other things to be done along
the way, but we are confident in this congregation's history to pull through.
Let's keep the road smooth and free of obstacles.—Gail Woodall
What’s
Going On
Spanish-English
Potluck, 7/1 & 8/5
Please join us the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. for a
Spanish/English potluck dinner at the UUFE (Rt. 50, across from the Easton High
School football field). We have had a nice turnout each month. Even if you
don't speak Spanish, or you want to learn some basic phrases, this is a great
way to reach out to other cultures. Participants may converse in Spanish or
English, and food may be ethnic or any favorite dish. The group is free and
open to all. Please bring a main dish, bread, beverage, or dessert. A Spanish-English
dictionary is a good idea! Call Julie Striegel (410-820-5902) for more
information or just show up! Hasta la vista!
Women's Luncheon, 7/10
& 8/14
We will continue to meet through the summer on the deck at Pier Street
Restaurant in Oxford at 12 p.m. Join us monthly on the second Thursday for a
very informal get-together and a nice location on the water. Call Anne Lemp
(410-822-9370) if you have questions.
Dinner and a Movie
Night,
7/11 & 8/8
July's movie is Spirited Away, a story of a girl named Chihiro who
travels into the world of gods to find a way to turn her parents into human
form after they were turned into...pigs! Bring the whole family and a Japanese
dish to share. Showtime is 6:30 p.m. (Note: August's movie and dinner
theme have not yet been decided. Stay tuned to the bulletins at the
Fellowship.)
Vegetarian Potluck,
7/15 & 8/19
Join us at 6 p.m. for
vegetarian fare and discussion. We will highlight summer vegetables, so bring a
corn (July) and carrot (August) dish, or bring a 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.
Summer Picnic
at the Swallow's
August 17 from 3 p.m. on
Chan & Edie cordially invite you for an afternoon of boating,
croquet, volleyball, balloons, eating, and just sitting around. Bring the
family, a dish to share, maybe something to grill, and a lawn chair if you have
one. We`ll provide drinks and utensils.
Directions to 605 Radcliffe Avenue in
St. Michaels: When entering St. Michaels, turn right on E.
Chew and go to far end. We are diagonally on your left at the T with
Radcliffe. Please carpool when practical. Call us for information
(410-745-5170). No rain date.
Men's Lunch Bunch, 1st,
3rd
(& 5th) Wed.
Men from the Fellowship gather promptly at 11:30 a.m. on the first, third
(and if a fifth) Wednesday of each month for lunch at the Easton Airport Cafe.
Drumming Circle, Aug. 1
Join at 7 p.m. 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, so stop by. Note: Anyone
who has a drum or percussion instrument to donate please call Debra Hathaway
(410-770-9057) or bring to the group.
Office Help Wanted
We are looking for a few
volunteers to staff the office for 3 or 4 hours, once each week, starting in
the fall. The job would include answering the phone, copying, some computer
time, tidying up, and being a cheerful presence. A manual with all necessary
procedures and answers to questions will be available. You would be asked to
come regularly, but a substitute list will be available. Call Edie Swallow
(410-745-5170) for further information.
Children’s Religious Education
We wrapped up its year
with a bang. The retreat was a great success: We had 32 people spend the night.
Eric Stocker did a masterful job cooking, and the camp facilities were very
comfortable. Patty Rubin and Amy Eutsey put on wonderful workshops for the
children, while Dwayne Eutsey and I dialogued with the adults. We laughed and
danced and ate and sang and talked. Everyone helped in some way, so thanks to
all. It is the best way I know of to deepen the bonds of the Fellowship. I hope
next year we have twice as many people. We are good for each other, and I am
grateful for each of you.
It looks like I will be away most Sundays this summer;
Nicole Meehan, Amy Eutsey, Crystal Thomas, and Janine Maher know where things
are and have offered to help out as needed. I know everyone will keep an eye on
the children; we have created a safe and nurturing environment here that will
be an asset to them forever. I'll be back at my post on August 18.
Have a wonderful summer and safe travels.
(I'm a little nervous about driving on the left for the first time this summer
when I go to Ireland with my strong-willed father…it should be an adventure!)
Peace be with each of us,
Mary Lou
Summer Teaching
July and August are informal months in RE. We invite you to share your
talents with our children. From storytelling, crafts, and making music to
exploring our nature trail (watch out for poison ivy), you are bound to
have a rewarding experience. Lesson plans based on Native American stories are
available in the office. Ask a friend to team up with you. Engaging young
people in meaningful dialogue is enriching in many ways. I have a handout on
how to prepare for Sunday and what to do on Sunday mornings. E-mail or call
Mary Lou to get a copy.
We are still looking for
teams for the following Sundays: July 20 and August 3 and 10. Please sign up at
the coffee table.
Looking Toward Next
Year...
...a Coming of Age program for middle-schoolers. Dana Keller and Amy
Eutsey have agreed to lead this important class. We need mentors for each
student. Please see Mary Lou if you are interested. Our first big trip is to
New York City. The Dalai Lama will be giving a public talk in Central Park on
Sunday, September 21, and that sounds like the perfect kickoff to the 3-month
program. We could use another chaperone, preferably someone who knows New York
City. Details coming.
Multicultural
Homeschool Outreach
We have completed three
programs: East Africa, the Andes Mountains, and the Tibetan Plateau. We made crafts,
played music, and learned a few things about these regions. Nicole Meehan made
delicious ethnic food. Amy Eutsey and Crystal Thomas also helped, and together
we offered a very nice program for 27 children over the three programs. We hope
to continue to explore the world in the fall. Let us know if you would like to
help. It's a fun way to spend a day, and we can always use an extra pair of
hands.
Youth Group
Youth group is taking a
break this summer and will only meet for special occasions. We will resume in
September. Best wishes to all the youth who have gone on to jobs and college.
Our group is open to all youth ages 14 to 19, so if you know someone who could benefit
from a liberal, positive peer group send them over on Thursdays from 5:30 to
6:30 p.m.
Member Services
There will not be a July meeting. The next meeting will be on Wednesday,
August 13, at 3:00 p.m.
Welcome Newest Members
We want to extend a warm
welcome to our two newest members, Jake and Ann Jacobs. The Jacobses have been
attending UUFE regularly since late fall. Their young children, Catherine and
Robert, are enthusiastic participants in the religious education and nursery
circles. If you haven`t already met them, look for their photos on the new
member photo board next to the name tags. Be sure to introduce yourself and get
to know them better.
Joys and Concerns
Once again, we
celebrate the joys and share the concerns that our members and friends have experienced
during the past month. Many of the sorrows expressed were either of a personal
nature or unexpressed, so we will list only the joys in this column.
Joys
Barbara Hoag’s wedding to Robert Gadon on Saturday, May 24,
at the Arlington UU Church was a great joy for those attending. Patty Rubin was the soloist, with Del Joiner accompanying
on the piano. They did a superb job. Barbara was beautiful, and joyous tears
definitely were shed. A bonus was reconnecting with Phyllis Mackey who came from
New Hampshire for the wedding. For those who are new to UUFE, Phyllis was our
first Director of Religious Education. On a more personal note: Tineke Tan and her
husband, Jerry, were happy
to celebrate the return of Jerry’s son from military service in Kuwait. Ellie Urbina shared her
joy over the results of a sonogram that indicate that her pregnancy is
progressing normally and that the new baby is a boy. Ellie’s son, Albie, is delighted and told
his mom that he knew all along that it would be a boy.
Music Notes
The choir has dispersed for the summer, but Sunday morning music remains
at UUFE. The singers this summer are an eclectic group, representing a
wide variety of musical tastes and experiences. They are also an
exceptionally thoughtful group, looking for meaning and nuance in every turn of
lyrical and musical phrase. Some of the singers are committed to being
present for almost every occasion, others are kind enough to trade off
appearances with others; the result is a fascinating blend of sounds familiar
and new. Oh, I will stop trying to be mysterious because you know I am
talking about each and every one of you who opens a hymnal at
UUFE.
One of the best parts of joining in congregational song
is the way you can experience the UU principles embodied in the singing
itself. This subject is too rich to rush through, so I will begin to
address the principles within the context of congregational singing in
subsequent articles. For now, I offer one view on why open that hymnal at
all from Elie Weisel, in The Oath:
“Through song,” said the Rebbe, “man climbs to the highest palace. From
that palace he can influence the universe and its prisons. Song is Jacob's
ladder forgotten on earth by the angels. Sing and you shall defeat death;
sing and you shall disarm the foe.”
The first purpose of the UUFE
music program is to encourage and strengthen the congregational voice in
song. This one reason is why the position here at UUFE is now called music
director instead of choir director. Although choir is a clearly
identifiable focus, about half of my time and half the music budget is not
directly tied to choir needs. In addition, the choir's first purpose is to
support and enhance congregational singing. In May, I thanked the choir;
now I thank those individual singers who have given their time and talents to
lead and support the hymn singing at the 9 a.m. service: Umm…that's just
about everybody in the choir! Much thanks to you all, and I extend an
invitation to those enthusiastic hymn singers who may not be able to attend
choir practices but would like to help lead hymns. Let me know whether
you're interested.
—Patty Rubin
Summary
of the June 2003 Board Meeting
Minister's Report
Jim Bank reflected
on the past month`s activities: the Annual Meeting, the first All-Fellowship
Retreat, and the start of one service on Sunday for the summer. He has
continued to attend meetings, personal conferences, TACL meetings, and work at
the National Cancer Institute. Jim will use the first 10 days of July as reading
time and vacation the last 20 days. He will ask Dan Higgins and Matthew
McNaught to serve in the event of an emergency during while he is away.
Treasurer's Report
George McManus
reported that we now have a surplus of $10,000. The Ark account, which cost
more to maintain than receive from income, has been closed out and $840 placed
in the checking account. A telephone answering machine has been purchased and
agreed to be charged to Administration. It was also agreed that the coordinator
of office volunteers can approve such items.
Software Update
Some membership
items and most of the financial accounts have been entered. Nancy Dimond,
George McManus, and Crystal Thomas can make entries from home. An e-mail system
will be set up.
Fund-Raising Consultant
Concerns
raised during the Annual Meeting regarding continuing to work with Kami O'Keeffe
were discussed. Beth Jones had spoken with Kami and those who had raised the
questions. It was noted that Kami will not be running the campaign herself but
will support the Campaign Committee. Members of that committee seem to be
comfortable with working with her, so it was agreed that, despite some
concerns, the positives outweighed the negatives in using her services rather
than approving another person assigned from UUA. Unanimous vote approved
continuing with Kami as our fund-raising consultant.
Summer Schedule Update
Cynthia Quast
reported on the summer schedule for Sunday services as arranged by the Worship
Committee. Richard Nugent, a Certified Interim Minister, will speak on June 22
and July 20 on transitions and will remain after service for discussion.
All-Fellowship Retreat
Mary Lou Keller reported on the success of the retreat, which was particularly
child-friendly and attended by many RE families. The retreat cost $909 with
income of $821, extra costs were for the Kings Retreat Center and for use of the kitchen. The Board agreed that
this expense could be paid from the RE budget.
Calling of Minister
Dwayne Eutsey reported that this month he hopes
to formalize this committee whose goal is to determine what we are looking for
in ministry. A schedule of meetings will be set up and publicized in the
Newsletter and will be open to anyone in the congregation.