Newsletters
& Sermons
January 2004
UUFD
NOW
UU
music offerings will grow — can you help?
The Unitarian
Universalist Association is producing a supplement to our hymnal,
“Singing The Living Tradition.”
Since its publication there has been a tremendous outpouring of
new material from an ever-growing group of UU composers and hymn
writers — material which has broad congregational appeal but
has not yet been made accessible in a single volume.
In fall 2003, UUA President Bill Sinkford appointed a task force
to create a new congregational hymn resource. This group is seeking
submissions for our new resource, specifically: fresh hymns, chants
or songs that enliven worship and music for marking the seasons
in the lives of our congregations.
For more information on this effort, including information on how
to submit compositions for consideration, and a form to accompany
submissions, go to www.uua.org/publications/newhymns.
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Covenants continue
We have two groups of 6 to 12 that meet regularly,
usually twice a month, to discuss various topics, listen to one
another and contribute to each other's lives.
If you would like to learn more about them, please contact our minister,
John Biedler, who will be happy to introduce you to the joys of
belonging to a Covenant Group.
Both groups
are open to new people joining, so don't hesitate to call. You don't
even have to be a member of the Fellowship to be in one of our Covenant
Groups. John can be reached at the church office, 875-5442, his
cell phone, 972-2184, or home, 963-2490.
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Women’s
conference
There's
still time to register for the WomanSpirit 2004 Winter Conference
to be held on Jan. 23-25 in the Chicago suburb of Tinley Park. The
deadline is Jan. 10. For more information, go online to www.
womenandreligion.org.
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Getting
to know you ...
Come join an interesting evening at Dinners for Eight on Saturday,
Jan. 17, at 6 p.m.
This is a great way for newcomers to mingle with and learn more
about others at UUFD outside of a service or party.
A sign-up sheet is on the table in the foyer at UUFD. Consider being
hosts by providing hospitality at your home with beverages and snacks.
Guests are asked to bring a part of the meal such as entree, salad
or dessert.
Judy Thistltethwaite will be contacting you with information on
what to bring. Get to know your fellow UUs.
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In
John’s words
Roman god
Janus was the guardian of gates and doors. He is represented by
two bearded faces, one looking forward, one looking back. In January,
we have the opportunity to pause and to look forward and backward
over our lives. May we consider how we might live the year ahead
more fully.
In light
of this, I came across some ideas I hope you will enjoy considering.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the smartest person
on earth is Marilyn vos Savant, who writes a weekly column in Parade
magazine. Recently she was asked, “What will we need to be
happy in this new century?” Her answer was we will need seven
sacred virtues to supplant the seven deadly sins.
Most of
us have probably forgotten what those sins are — if we ever
knew in the first place. They are not listed in the Bible.
But whatever the source,
vos Savant's suggestions for supplanting "the seven deadly
sins" are:
- Humility instead
of Pride, knowing that we are not alone in the world.
- Generosity instead
of Covetousness, allowing others to have what they deserve.
- Restraint instead
of Lust, controlling our compulsions and impulses.
- Kindness instead
of Anger, tolerating our fellow humans’ mistakes .
- Moderation instead
of Gluttony, satisfying ourselves with necessities.
- Charity instead of
Envy, helping those who can’t help themselves.
- Diligence instead
of Sloth, making ourselves useful in the world.
As I compared them to
our seven Unitarian Universalist Principles listed below, I found
some parallels:
- The inherent worth
and dignity of every person (Generosity)
- Justice, equity and
compassion in human relations (Kindness)
- Acceptance of one
another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations
(Charity, Restraint and Kindness)
- A free and responsible
search for truth and meaning (Diligence and Moderation)
- The right of conscience
and the use of the democratic process within our congregations
and in society at large (Restraint)
- The goal of world
community with peace, liberty, and justice for all (Charity and
Diligence)
- Respect for the interdependent
web of all existence of which we are a part. (Moderation and Humility)
Though we don't talk
about "sin" in UU circles, we recognize the affirmative
capacity to grow, to live a fuller, life — a life of contribution
to others.
Thus, like Janus, we
can lead the contemplative life of looking back and learning, looking
forward and evolving. May our coming year be one lived such that
on January 1st, 2005, we can all say “Well done!”
In Faith,
John
Rev. Biedler’s office hours
Monday afternoons in January from 1-5 p.m. at the Fellowship.
Feel free to call him at UUFD, 875-5442. If the office number is
busy, you may also reach John on his cell phone at 972-2184 or at
his home number of 963-2490.
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Oh, baby, what news!
By Mama DeConick and Papa Greiner
To all
our UUFD friends, We are very happy to let you all know that Alexander
Wade DeGreiner was born on Monday, Nov. 15, 2003, at 8:39 p.m. He
was 7 lbs and 2 ozs and was 19 inches tall. We brought him back
from the hospital that afternoon, and both Alexander and April are
doing very well.
We thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and well-wishes. It
was a magical experience for us all, and Alex is a very beautiful
little boy, if we do say so ourselves!
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More
candles to light
Those celebrating
January birthdays include: Laura Vaught, Jan. 6;
Mark Sorensen, Jan. 20 and Amy Stockwell, Jan. 22.
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Get
well, Jeanne!
Our warmest
thoughts go out to Jeanne Robertson, who had surgery right around
Christmas Day. We truly hope this puts her back on the pain-free
road to recovery!
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Recyclers
UUFD adheres to the Seventh Principle (the “interdependent
web” one) by recycling much of the paper we use and get in
the mail.
Chelso
Frescura and June Allison see to it that that big box underneath
the copier in the office is emptied it at the recycling center in
Warrensburg regularly.
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Dollarsense
UUFD would like to thank
its members and friends who have been making timely payments on
their pledges.
As you once again read
this fine newsletter, please rember that it costs $1,600 each fiscal
year to bring it to you monthly. Thanks again to the volunteers
who get it ready while holding costs to a minimum.
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