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| February 2002 Newsletter Feb. 3 -- “What's 'The Inherent Worth' Worth?" by John Biedler, M.Div., Practicum Minister. When the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church in America merged to form the Unitarian Universalist Association, people from both faith communities realized that they needed to make a statement of what the new association stood for. It wasn't until 1985 that the UUA adopted a set of principles which at least most congregations could embrace. This sermon series will take us through each of these principles, the first of which says we covenant to affirm and promote "the inherent worth and dignity of every person." Feb. 10 -- “Welcoming our New Members Service" by John Biedler. Because each of us arrives here at the UU Fellowship of Decatur from different backgrounds and with differing minds, it is vital that we share what might be our common pilgrimage. We come here seeking meaning and value in our human struggles. We come seeking understanding. We come to celebrate our joys and sorrows in community. We come to be reminded that we are all members of the web of life. In this service, we welcome those who have joined the Fellowship over the past year. Feb. 17 -- TBA Feb. 24 -- "Justice, Equity and Compassion in Human Relations" by John Biedler. What is justice? Plato, the Greek philosopher, used this question as a beginning for outlining his entire philosophy, as found in The Republic. According to Plato, justice is not primarily a matter of the political state. It is a matter of the heart. In this sermon, we will delve into the premise that social, political, and legal justice is derived from individual justice. It is in how one lives and moves through one's own life. Pledge Breakfast
Coming March 3 Our Annual Pledge Breakfast will be at 9 a.m., Sunday, March 3. Our regular service and religious education for the children will follow, so please arrive for the breakfast event a little before 9 a.m. Following a delicious meal for families of both members and friends of the Fellowship, a proposed budget will be presented. UUFD members and friends will be asked to make a pledge to sustain the program of our Fellowship. We need your generous pledge to plan for ministerial leadership, other programming, and the maintenance of our fine property. Dinners for Eight
- Sign up for Feb. 23 Other Important
Dates I've been thinking a lot lately about what exactly a “covenant" is. In part, I guess it's because we've inaugurated a number of every-other-week "Covenant Groups." But what does it mean to covenant? The dictionary calls a covenant a promise one makes, a kind of agreement made among people, something that is pledged, or agreed to that speaks to how we will relate to one another, now and in the future. So a covenant seems to have to do with a.) making a promise; and b.) how people will treat one another. You may have noticed that one of the first few pages of our hymnbook includes the “covenant” for the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. We often just call these our “Seven Principles and Purposes”. The heading at the top of the list says: "We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote:”. Those seven principles follow the statements that declare how we promise to conduct ourselves as member congregations within this association. But they are more than institutional statements. They are also very personal in nature. And they are lifted to the level of a covenant because they actually form the foundation of what we say, we as individuals and as a faith body, can be counted on in how we conduct ourselves. This idea that UUs can believe anything they want to just isn't true. We have promises to keep, and we have agreements we say we can be counted on to live by. That's the nature of a covenant. It's serious. It's important. So important, I feel, that I plan to do a sermon series beginning in February to delve in depth into each of these principles. I hope to make our principles come alive and to show how they might be lived in our everyday lives. You'll find these seven principles, along with the living traditions from which they are sourced, written up and framed in the foyer of the Fellowship Hall. They are there because, as the words at the end so eloquently say: "Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. As free congregations, we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support." Warmly, Ann Limerick feels like she is getting settled in her new home. A letter from her is on the bulletin board in the foyer. She would love to hear from her UU pals! Her new address is: Former member Pat Lane is scheduled for a complete right hip replacement Feb. 1 in a Chicago hospital. When recovered to the point she can travel, she will move back to Colorado to be closer to family. You can e-mail Pat at patlane@theramp.net. Elayna Brewer will be 9 on Feb. 3; Athena Pajer will be 2 on Feb. 5; Anna Grindy will be 12 on Feb. 10; and Leland Roth will be the Big Five-O on Feb. 18! Allison S. qualifies for District Spelling Allison Smith was a finalist in the seventh-grade spelling bee at Mount Zion Junior High. She qualified for the Mt. Zion School District Spelling Bee on Jan. 31. Anna Grindy has made it to the Macon County spelling bee. The spelldown will be sometime in February at Richland Community College. Know that the love which blooms inside you is stronger than fear, for people who love find strength they didn’t know they had. . . And know that love is indeed stronger than death, for people who love are like stones tossed into a pool. The circles of love radiate out and echo back long after the stone has come to rest on the bottom. Rev. Mark DeWolfe Wednesday
group has openings The Wednesday Covenant Group meets on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, from 2:00-4:00 at the Fellowship. On Feb. 6 and 20 we will view and discuss a short excerpt from the Joseph Campbell videos. On March 6, we will consider the question, "Why Do People Turn to Spirituality after a Disaster?" You are most welcome to "try out" the group a time or two to see if you like it, without making any further commitment. For more information, contact Joan Brown, 877-0880. As the old song said, "Y'all come"! In a relatively short time as a UUFD member, Jason Kamrath has made significant contributions. He led our choir for a period and organized a well-received sing-along shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He also currently is a member of our UUFD Board and ministerial search committee. Here’s his farewell: Dear UUFD members and friends, Throughout the two years that I have been a member of UUFD, I have found much acceptance and friendship. I have accepted a position with The American Sugar Refining Company and will be relocating to Baltimore, Md., the first weekend in February. Although I am sad to leave all of my friends and family, I am overjoyed that this opportunity has been presented to me. I would like to continue as a friend of UUFD, so I can keep up with what is going on with all of you wonderful people. Thank you for providing me with a loving environment while I was here in Decatur, and I will miss you all! Jason E. Kamrath Jason’s new address is: Jason’s departure leaves a vacancy on the Board and on the search committee. The Board position would last only the few months before new members are elected. The search committee would continue until arrangements are made for a minister. Anyone interested should contact our president, Kathy Kline. My beliefs are now one hundred percent against racism and segregation in any form, and I also believe we don’t judge a person by the color of his skin, but rather by his behavior and his deeds. Malcom X
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