September 2002 Newsletter

Sunday Sermons in September

All services begin at 10:15 a.m. There is religious education for children and child care for babies and toddlers.

We’ll be combining two traditional UU services this week -- a homecoming, encompassing old and new members and friends -- and a Water Communion.

The idea of the homecoming is that some friends whom we haven't seen in awhile may visit, if only to say “hello” for one week.

The Water Communion is a service in which everyone can bring water representative of the places they have experienced over the past year. (I say “representative” water because you may not have thought to actually collect water ahead of time!) I invite you to bring your water and stories of your journeys to share.

Don't miss the potluck at 2 p.m.!

Since Sept. 11, 2001, we've heard a great deal of rhetoric about “evil”. Do you struggle with the question of just what "evil" is? Is it possible that human nature itself has an equal capacity for evil and for good? Do you have your own "evil" side to confront? This sermon will grapple with the philosophical and existential arguments on the nature and source of evil in the world and within ourselves.

There will be a series of readings, a brief talk about the purpose and processes of the Group and an explanation of contemplation and meditation. The Group will then present a meditation, accompanied by music.

This is a celebration to welcome John Biedler as our new minister, to welcome him and his bride, Gwen, to Decatur, and to honor their marriage. At Marge Evans' rural Decatur farm.

Other Important Dates

Wednesdays at 1 p.m. -- The Men’s Lunch Group, “We’re Only UU Men”, new Red Lobster. All men are welcome!

Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. -- Women’s Book Group, at Sharon Zimmerman’s, 8973 E. School Road, Argenta. Paradise News by David Lodge will be discussed. RSVP with Sharon at 795-2283 or shaziart@argenta.net. Meet in front of Tina King’s, 3478 N. Water St., at 5:15 p.m. to car pool.
Bring a dish to share. The October book is Up Island by Ann Rivers Siddons.

Sept. 15, 1:30 to 3 p.m. -- Covenant Group Introduction and Leadership Training. Find out about one of the most effective tools for personal and spiritual growth among UU congregations, Covenant Groups. Our minister, John Biedler, has begun two such affinity groups this past year. For those who have participated, they have proven to be a huge resource for friendship building and growth. John is looking to start another group if there is an interest. To find out more about Covenant Groups, you are invited to attend this monthly training. All members and friends of UUFD are welcome.

From our Minister

I often kid with people who ask what led me to leave the Christian fundamentalist ministry and become a Unitarian Universalist. I tell them, though I quit the one and began the other on theological grounds, I remained a UU because of the potluck dinners!

There's a lot of truth to that. And it wasn't just because of the food, but because of the people. UU potluck dinners meant pulling up to someone's house I'd never been to before and walking up the driveway with someone I had only briefly said hello to at coffee hour months before. Potlucks meant being greeted at the door by someone I may have met in the parking lot at church one Sunday, but knew nothing about. Potlucks meant hearing about “the old days” of the church from those who had been members for 25 years or more.

Potluck dinners were about connections. They were a chance to ask people about their children or grandchildren, their family backgrounds, the work they did or had retired from, the social issues they were passionate about, and what had brought them to Unitarian Universalism.

In this spirit, Gwen and I would like to begin a series of get-togethers at "our new home," just west of Decatur. We have been graciously asked by Dave and Elizabeth Snoeyenbos to look after their house this coming year while Elizabeth is on sabbatical. Dave and Elizabeth encouraged us to host whatever dinners we would like during the year. So that is what we would like to do!

These potlucks will be for members and friends of the Fellowship.

They won’t only be in the evenings. The first one is set for Sunday, Sept. 8, at 2 p.m., after the homecoming and water communion service. If you don't make it to church, please come anyway.

Detailed maps will be in your order of service, or call me for directions; it's a local call now -- 433-0250.

These gatherings are not only for Gwen and me to get to know you, but also for you to better get to know one another. These meals will be a place to bring friends you've wanted to introduce to the Fellowship but never could get to a 10:15 Sunday service.

Bring a dish to share and your own drinks, and we'll provide utensils, plates, etc.

Yes, it may have been that quest for religious freedom that brought me to church, but it was the potlucks that kept me coming back. We hope to see you Sept. 8.

Warmly,
John (and Gwen)

Bits 'n Pieces

These UUFD'ers will mark another year this month: Marjorie Powell will be 75 Sept. 6! Robert Grindy, Sept. 17; Fiona Hope Marty will be 1 on Sept. 19; Kathy Kline, Sept. 23. We'd love to share the information about your birthday, too. Please send the information to Dick Zaker at secretary@uufd.org.

Everything is going well for Jason Kamrath, who recently moved to Baltimore, MD. He’s enjoying his career as accounts receivable manager for Domino Sugars and is going to school full time at the University of Phoenix online, majoring in Business Administration. Jason’s address is 2 Benoni Circle, Baltimore, MD 21220.

Our friends at the Gay and Lesbian Association of Decatur (GLAD) will have a Rummage Sale at UUFD Saturday, Sept. 21, starting at 8 a.m. The group’s last sale was successful and lots of fun. All donations will be much appreciated. Call Cindy Giesing, 429-8281, for arrangements. Come shop the day of the sale, too!

New church directories are available in the UUFD office.

Meditation

Here is the message from the Weaver at the Loom:

     Santa is not the gift.
     The librarian is not the book.
     The waiter is not the meal.
     The midwife is not the baby.
     The clergyperson is not your faith.

You can end up on a very good trip that began with a very bad driver.

I myself used to hit the peaks with a Power Walker, whose goal was to get to the top and down again as fast as possible. Any break only meant him waiting for me to catch up. He was awful and relentless.

But once I let go of his illogical need to leave me nature's roadkill and then went into the wild with others and by myself, I got what I needed from my time in the wild...I really did.

And what is it that my friends and I needed to know then and do know now?

That a spiritual bridge is still possible across the chasm of your life...

and that most of all ...

the Guide is not the journey.

Rus Cooper-Dowda
“RevRus”

Rev. Cooper-Dowda writes for UUNews, an online publication.

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