Newsletter

Happy Leap Year! It's time for that extra day we've waited four years to enjoy. Surely you have heard yourself, or someone else say, "If only I had an extra day, I would ..." and the rest of the sentence is filled with an action statement. Well, your wish has been granted. You indeed have an extra day. Now what are you going to do with it?

I am usually looking to complete some multitude of tasks so that I can finally relax and enjoy a day of leisure. The image of a divine taskmaster comes to mind whom, at the end of my life, tallies up the total number of tasks I have completed and awards me a direct proportion of paradise. But if I have not completed enough tasks, I get sent back to earth for another try.

While this scenario is in jest, society often operates in a fashion that suggests an underlying fear as such. There is so much to do, and so many worthwhile efforts. Our "to do" lists get longer, and our attention is diverted in multiple directions. It is no wonder an extra day seems so appealing.

But an extra day filled with more tasks is not desired. Instead, respite beckons. What if we could lead a balanced life infused with moments of daily respite? And what if we could perform our tasks with mindfulness, as an extension of ourselves, fully appreciating our contributions and their potential benefits? Instead of becoming depleted, we have the potential to nurture ourselves through our actions of giving.

If whittling down your "to do" list has not provided you with the serenity you desire, perhaps taking a little time to appreciate you is long overdue. Well, now's your chance. Everyday is your day. And this year there is an extra one, just for you.

Brian

Congratulations to the Senior High on a program well done! Everyone enjoyed their presentation and the audience dialogue. We are proud of them, and this Sunday is but one example of the fine programs lined up by our Program Committee for January.

Many thanks to Mary Sawyer, Mary Richards and Rev. Roger Butts for their presentations. They are greatly appreciated, and we look forward to more like them in February!

In February we can also look forward to a lively and entertaining series of events lined up by Sue Ellen Tuttle and the Annual Pledge Drive Committee. What an enjoyable way to decide how much support to provide for the many worthwhile activities at the Fellowship!

The recent theft of a Sunday offering at the Fellowship has been a disappointment. To prevent it from happening again, we will move money from the Fellowship to a safer place soon after each collection. This will cause a little inconvenience, but I believe it is the course to take until we determine how and by whom this theft took place.

On the bright side, the new construction work is done, furniture has been moved, and possibilities are being explored as we move into the new spaces and the refurbished ones. We'll get a better feel of what fits where and what else needs to be done.

Overall I would say the place is hopping with rewarding activity!

Onward and upward,

Rich

HIGH SCHOOL GROUP

The High School Youth Group and its leaders greatly the appreciate the support of the congregation at its recent service. Such a large and enthusiastic attendance was heartwarming and gratifying.

Have you ever considered meeting with the high school group on Sunday mornings as an RE leader? I've been associated with the high school groups for almost 12 years, either as an RE leader, Coming of Age Coordinator, mentor or Boston chaperone. I've found the groups to be delightful, interesting, bold, funny, friendly, innovative, and sometimes challenging. Overall, it's been nourishing and positive for me to get to know the older teens. What does a person need to be an effective RE youth leader?

• You need tolerance for ambiguity and flexibility--you may start with a curriculum and think you'll make linear progression through it, but find someone really needs to talk about something else; or else Youth Sunday planning intervenes; or a social event is substituted for a Sunday morning time.
• You need knowledge of small group dynamics and awareness of thedevelopmental tasks of older teens.
• You need to be able to share your experiences candidly and appropriately and in an emotionally mature manner.
• You need a sense of humor and an ability to not be too attached to the ends, but accentuate the means.
• You need to know how to play group games and have fun.
• You need gentle leadership with a small amount of authority.

I'm sure many of you possess these skills. Think about joining us in the future!

COMING OF AGE

In a previous newsletter I spoke about future changes to the Coming of Age Program which has traditionally included 9-12 graders. But starting next August it will include 7th-9th graders, and only 7th-8th graders thereafter. Parents have often asked me what they and their teens should expect from the program. Prospective mentors often want to know what their commitments will be. Here are some thoughts:

Coming of Age programs are usually in-house programs — there is no one COA program produced by the UUA. We have borrowed some of the contents of ours from the one used by the Twin Cities congregations and adapted it to fit our needs.

We hope that participating teens will learn more about UUism, other religions, their own developing identities and spiritual awareness, and how to help others. We accomplish this by working through a booklet of requirements, attending monthly forums, attending three weekend retreats (one night and day), and by meeting and talking with mentors.

Some of the requirements require a short report on UUism/people, so there is a small amount of research to be done. The time commitment is not burdensome, but participants should probably expect to spend about 5 hours/month at the most. Teens are encouraged to choose their mentors, but if they are unfamiliar with UUFA adults, the YAC or I can help find someone.

Mentors are required to guide their partners through the program, helping them plan and manage their time, meeting with them to clarify ideas and concepts, and volunteering with them for social action projects. They are also expected to attend the forums and retreats with their partners. Mentors must be 25 years or older, a member of the UUFA in good standing, and agree to background checks per our safety policy.

Participants are honored for their completion of the program at a special ceremony in late May. Parents and mentors are also involved in this ceremony to which the congregation is invited.

The Coming of Age program is funded primarily by the participants with parents and mentors spending approximately $120-130 (this covers retreat expenses and forum snacks). Other expenses are supported through the youth operating budget.

Parents, this is a good time to discuss this program with your 7th-9th grader. We will have a sign up sheet displayed in late May. You may also want to talk with other parents whose children have participated. If anyone is interested in being a mentor you can call me or e-mail me.

PRESENT COMING OF AGE PROGRAM

Six teens and their mentors recently spent part of a weekend at their winter retreat at Camp Hantesa. We used ritual, chanting, sharing, art, and other activities to think about how and where we fit on the "Wheel of Life".

We thought about how to live harmoniously with each other and upon the Earth as we traverse the wheel from birth to death or more immediately from day to day. We hiked a couple of times, played some games, and of course made s'mores.

Since October we have also attended forums where we've learned more about UUism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Benette

On occasion, a fellow UU member asks what Green Sanctuary is all about. As a member of the committee helping to facilitate this initiative, it's a question I need to revisit, to keep focus of our goals and what's ahead.With the new year well upon us, I thought this would be a good time to review, for myself and others, what the Green Sanctuary program entails and list some of our accomplishments.

Green Sanctuary, also called the Seventh Principle Project, is a national UU initiative. It comes to us as a model, including a handbook that gives ideas, suggestions, and, yes, required activities in order to receive accreditation.I think the mission statement goes a long way towards explaining what it's all about.

To facilitate and support the work of Unitarian Universalism by affirming and promoting "respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part". We do this by focusing on the theological, spiritual and ethical aspects of human activities that affect the health and sustainability of the living earth.
Our intent as a committee is to educate ourselves and the congregation about sound environmental practices and life styles, using the Green Sanctuary Program as a model. Some congregations have been through the process and received accreditation; others, like us, are working their way through the process, conducting activities and planning for future events. Listed below are some of the activities that have already happened or are in progress:

• Energy audit of the Fellowship facilities
• RE environmental classes
• Recycling efforts (recycle bulletins, use of washable dishes, purchase recycled or recyclable products, etc.)
• Sunday programs (speakers, meditations, songs, etc.)
• Green Sanctuary newsletter articles
• Trash pick-up
• Removal of invasive plant species on UU grounds
• Wildlife Backyard Habitat Accreditation (through the National Wildlife Federation)
• Green Sanctuary bulletin boards
  

I thank everyone who has taken part in these activities, and offered to help in the future. Also, special thanks to Ken Lane, our past Chairperson, for his leadership and expertise. Ken is now serving as Building & Grounds Coordinator, but we look forward to his continued support (and great ideas!) as a committee member.

If you are interested in learning more about this initiative, in joining our committee (UU Social Action and Responsibility), or offering your ideas and expertise to the Green Sanctuary Program, please contact Lynne Van Valin (Chair) or Mary Doud (Co-Chair). We can't move forward without your help, and only broad participation will bring us success as we carry our efforts into the years ahead! As Rev. Katherine Jesch states in our acceptance letter into this program, "By embarking on this journey, you are committing yourselves to take concrete steps to educate yourselves about specific issues, to deepen your relationship with the natural world in specific ways through your worship and spiritual practice, and to translate this larger awareness into social action for environmental justice in the larger community."

Mary Doud, Co-Chair

A walk-through with contractors and space cadets is scheduled for Thurs., Jan. 22. If all goes well, we will be granted occupancy. Molly Nesbitt is assembling a team to help with moving on Fri., Jan. 23 and/or Sat., Jan. 24.

Now that the Space Cadets have completed their scope of work and adjourned, how do we use our new and improved space? Traffic patterns, furniture arrangements, décor --- the questions are many, the answers uncertain.

Our renewed pride in property will be well served by a new interiors committee, chaired by Annette Rowley, who will coordinate decisions among buildings and grounds, fundraising, art, archives, library, board, RE, former space cadets, and other fellowship constituents to help make our old and new space esthetically pleasing. If you have ideas or questions about furnishings or other decor, please contact Annette.

We hope to compile a written inventory of UUFA's possessions and their locations (especially items in storage) so everyone will know where to find things... and where to put them back! Many members worked hard to clean closets and cubbies last month, purging our building of years' worth of accumulated miscellany. To respect their effort and keep things tidy, please check with Ken Lane before storing any items at UUFA.

Playing it safe: We must watch our children more closely now that we're in a less confined space. Children under age 12 should not ride the elevator without an adult. In case of malfunction it is important for an adult passenger to be present. Once the novelty has worn off for our children, we also need to discourage recreational use of the elevator because of the high cost of maintenance and repair. Also, please do not allow children to climb on the new stair railing leading to the addition. Finally, please make sure that small children do not move unsupervised from one building level to the next.

If these walls could talk: Our movable walls are sturdy, but their operation is delicate. Please do not attempt to open or close them without training or assistance from a Space Cadet! If these walls are not handled properly, damage can occur. The movable wall separating our kitchen from the new stairwell area will remain open most of the time. Please contact Ellen Wool several days in advance if you are planning an event requiring a wall change. In the new addition, the wall separating the two classrooms will remain in place except for special events.

Wish I may, wish I might: A wish list will appear monthly in this newsletter. If you would like to grant a wish or add an idea to the wish list, please contact Molly Nesbitt.

KITCHEN

• Kitchen aprons

OTHER

• Dolly and/or hand cart
• New chairs for Fellowship Hall
• Fireside room "soft" furniture and end tables
• New snow blower
• Wall hangers for art work

OFFICES

• rolling step stool
• new locking file cabinets

YOUTH ROOMS

• coffee table
• end table
• DVD player
• floor lamps
• digital camera

Misc. information: Our new multi-tiered key scheme, which provides greater security, is sophisticated. Contact Ellen Wool or Molly Nesbitt if you need a key to one or more areas of the Fellowship.

Trash cans are under the new front deck, behind the corrugated facade. Take trash there; please keep lids on cans!

A rental oversight group, led by Dorothy Lewis, will consider new rate structures and policies for our improved facility. This will include new guidelines for kitchen usage.

Both lower and upper parking lots will be re-striped in the spring, and landscaping added. Committee are also being convened to work on new interior and exterior signage.

Funds have been earmarked for window treatments, room labels, coat racks, and library and minister's office shelving and furniture. These items will be added in coming weeks.