Newsletters & Sermons
February 2004

UUFD NOW

Beginning Yoga

The ancient practice of yoga is designed to integrate the mind, body and spirit through a selective series of stretches and postures, with emphasis on proper breathing and mental concentration. Mel Weinstein will lead a free class at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Fellowship. The effects of physical yoga include a relaxed state of body and mind, improved immune system and increased clarity of mind. The class instruction is based on the book "Yoga Made Easy" by Howard Kent. It is available at Amazon.com for $13.27 as a new book or about $8 for a used book. Having the ability to fold yourself into a pretzel is not a
requirement for this class.

Anybody interested should contact Mel Weinstein . Class size is limited to 10 students.

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UUFD Board in Action

Services soon will be even more pleasant with the installation of an up-to-date sound system. The Board, and particularly President-Elect Marge Evans has been studying possibilities for several months. The system we're purchasing will include such items as efficient speakers, wireless microphone and CD/cassette player. In addition, our existing speakers will be hooked up in the RE area in case we have overflow audiences at some events. We hope to have this equipment working by the time this Newsletter comes out or shortly afterwards.

We still have a positive cash flow in January, thanks in large part to people paying well on their pledges in December. The wreath sales raised about $400. Anyone with more fund-raising ideas should contact any Board member. Ken Robertson has met with an Illinois Power representative about improving lighting on the back of our building. We've had two break-ins in the past few months.

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In John's Words

It finally happened: The Committee on Ministry came together this past month. The committee's aim is to strengthen the quality of ministry in the congregation. The group serves as a support group for the minister and as a communication channel between the minister and the congregation. The most important functions of the committee on the ministry are:

• to help the minister carry on an effective ministry by being available for
  counsel;
• to keep the minister advised about conditions within the congregation as
  they affect relations between minister and members, primarily to strengthen
  relationships;
• to continually interpret to the congregation the nature and scope of the work of the minister, including a clarification of role expectations and realistic priorities for minister and members;
• to consult with the minister and submit an annual compensation recommendation to the governing board and finance committee.

Members of the committee are Ken Robertson, Joan Brown, Marge Evans (next
year's board president), President Wade Greiner, and myself. Wade is actually an ex-officio member of this committee, as the president is of all committees of the congregation.

As I have explained to the members of this committee, trust, integrity and confidentiality are essential to their work. The members must have the trust of the congregation at large, the board and the minister. They must be perceived as having a firm commitment to the overall health of the congregation, as opposed to a special interest within the life of the congregation. So what does the existence of this committee mean?

If you have ideas you'd like to express, complaints you'd like to air, concerns you'd like addressed by the minister or the congregation overall, members of this committee are here for you. Everyone on the committee will seek to avoid the dangers of triangulation. This is when a person comes in between one person and another in a personality battle. Committee members are encouraged to listen, ask questions and show concern to all members and friends of the Fellowship.

We welcome your ideas and sentiments. Feel free to call on me or any member
of the committee at any time. I look forward to hearing from you.
In Faith,
John

Staying in our thoughts
John and Gwen are visiting Ed Seymour each week in room 712-A at St.
Mary's Hospital. He's able to receive visitors but isn't able to converse at
length. They also visit Sue Donovan often. She welcomes visits and cards.

The pastor is in
Office hours for Rev. Biedler will be 1-5 p.m. Tuesdays in February at the
Fellowship. Feel free to call him at the office at 875-5442. If the office number
is busy, try his cell phone at 972-2184, or at other times at his home at
963-2490. John welcomes your calls and requests for visits.

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REality -- the Religious Education Report

RE will be making Valentine cards for shut-ins on Sunday, Feb. 1. A fun Valentine's party is set for Feb. 8. Thanks for Judy Thistlethwaite, who has taken over the Terrific Two class from "Mommy times three" Julie Pajer.

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Birthdays

Athena Pajer: will be 4 on Feb. 5; Sue Donovan: Feb. 10 (she'd probably
be glad to tell you her age!)

Correction
Painful as it it to admit, UUFD Now incorrectly announced Alexander DeGreiner was born Nov. 15 to April DeConick and Wade Greiner. He actually came into the world on Dec. 15.

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Ouch!

David Kent Coy is getting over a car accident on Jan. 15.

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Sinkford on Marriage

Here is an excerpt from a response our UUA president, William Sinkford, wrote to the New York Times after a Jan. 14 article on the Bush administration's plan to allocate $1.5 billion to promote a 'healthy marriage initiative'. "If the Bush administration is so committed to alleviating the social and economic problems that this initiative purports to address, I hope that they will consider the devastating consequences of continuing to deny the protections of marriage to same-sex couples and families headed by gay and lesbian parents."

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Dollarsense

It's time to commit to pledging for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1. Members should plan to contribute their entire pledged 2003-2004 amount
before June 30.

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