BoaNovember Board Meeting Highlights

·        Pledges received for 90% of goal

·        Scheduled special board meeting for 6 p.m. on Nov. 29 to approve 2006 budget

·        Voted to use as a guide the West Lafayette Human Relations Commission Complaint Handling Flow

·        DRE Relation Committee restructured to include fourth member

·        Union Street property -- new caretakers found; contract signed

Complete minutes can be found at https://uufolks.org/groups/board/minutes/UUC%20Board%20Minutes%20from%2011-08-05.pdf

 

 The Church Mouse Award goes to...           

The Church Mouse Award for November goes to Gale Lockwood. Gale started a summer progra.m.  for the youth on the religious histories used by Tolkien when he wrote the Lord of the Rings. She designed and executed a fun and educational curriculum, which culminated in a trip to the LOTR exhibit at the Indiana State Museum.

Gale has shown the sa.m. e initiative and enthusiasm as tea.m.  leader for the Young Youth, grades 5, 6, and 7. Gale is a model church volunteer. She doesn't just do what she's asked, she volunteers, and goes way beyond expectations

      ~ Dagmar Murray, Board Secretary 

 

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The Board of Trustees of the UU Church will hold a special board meeting Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 6 p.m. in the sanctuary of the church.  

The purpose of this meeting will be to approve the 2006 budget.  We invite all members and friends to attend the meeting.
 

Members and friends are invited to share their thoughts about the budget with the Finance Committee BEFORE Nov. 15.  Committee members are:  John Carlson, Bruce Craig, and Gale Kva.m.   

Copies of the proposed 2006 budget (which was presented at the September Congregational Meeting) are available on the table at the back of the sanctuary.  

Revisions will very likely be made to this proposed budget, and it would be helpful to have input from the congregation.

 

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More "Singing the Journey" donations! 
 

Many thanks to the following for their additional donations to the new hymnal supplement project:

"In Memory of Antoinette Lipson, 1915-2004, life-long Unitarian and my mother" -- Ellen Phelps

"In Honor of the freedom to wonder" -- Sharon McKnight (2 copies)

Be ready to crack open the new (blue) books this Sunday, Nov. 20. We will dedicate them, show our appreciation for them, and sing from them! 

--Kaye McSpadden

 

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SOCIAL ACTION PROPOSAL: IRCRC

 

The Social Action Committee is proposing that our congregation become a supporting member of the Indiana Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (IRCRC), following guidelines of the church's new Outreach Policy.

This proposal will be formally placed before the congregation at the Dec. 11 congregational meeting. Here are some questions that have been asked recently about this proposal, along with brief answers:

 

Q: What exactly is the Outreach Policy and how can I get a copy?

A: The Outreach Policy defines a process by which the congregation and/or committees within the congregation may take formal stands on issues. Adopted in November 2004, the Outreach Policy can be found in the church's annual report. (Copies may be found on the back table in the sanctuary, or contact the church secretary.) 

Q: What will it mean for the church to join IRCRC?

A: As an Organizational Associate Member, the congregation agrees to assist IRCRC by disseminating information, providing meeting space, and committing to an annual $30 membership fee. In addition, the congregation's na.m. e would be listed on IRCRC publications.

 

Q: I have more questions! Where can I get answers?

A: The Committee invites you to attend a discussion opportunity on Thursday, Dec. 8, from 6 -7 p.m. at the church, when you can learn more about the new Outreach Policy, the IRCRC, and related issues.

 

In the meantime, feel free to talk with members of the Social Action committee. For specific questions about IRCRC, you may contact Kaye McSpadden.

 

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Religious Education Happenings

 

RE Co- Directors Sarah Boulac and Michele Tomarelli

Our congregation has a strong history of support for the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC).  The UUSC is a nonprofit human rights organization that puts our faith into action.  One way we show our support is through the annual Guest at Your Table (GAYT) project which is celebrating its 30th year. 

This year, the Guest at Your Table progra.m.  will focus on strengthening workers’ rights; protecting the right to safe, affordable water; defending civil liberties and democratic processes; and preserving the rights of vulnerable people after disasters.  Your participation in this progra.m.  will help the UUSC fight for these rights all over the world.  For more information about these projects, the UUSC, or the GAYT program, visit www.uusc.org.

Last year the UUSC raised over $500,000 through the GAYT progra.m. .  In our congregation, we have raised as much as $700!! 

Here is how it works:  boxes will be passed out during the service on November 20th, the Intergenerational Thanksgiving Music service.  Take your box home to put on your dinner table and collect coins throughout the holiday season.

 

If you prefer not to have a box, you can still make a donation to the UUSC on the return day.  In January, we will collect the boxes.  It is helpful if you convert your coins to a check payable to the UUSC before returning your box. 

 

Remember to fill out the form on the box and indicate if you wish to become a member of the UUSC.  As a member, you will be kept up to date on human rights issues through regular mailings, action alerts, and the UUSC newsletter. 

 

Those contributing $75 or more will have their contributions matched by the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset, NY.  After the boxes are collected, the a.m. ount we raised will be published in the Lighted Chalice.

 

Let us share our blessings and promote our UU values by supporting the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and keep a guest at our tables during this holiday season!

                                         ~ Sarah

 

Teacher Schedule      Nov. 20                      Nov. 27

 

Preschool Teacher         A. Dooley                 C. Frye

Preschool Helper            M. Foley                  TBD                                    

Kind. – 1st Grade          INTERGEN             G. Mueller                                 

2nd – 4th Grade             INTERGEN             F. & E. Lautzenhiser                

                                                                 

Upcoming Events/Announcements

 

Thanksgiving Music Service – On November 20, we will come together and give thanks through music! We are looking for children and youth who would like to share their music with us on this day.  Please contact Sarah Boulac or Michele Tomarelli if you are interested.

RE Music Rehearsal – We will have a rehearsal on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. for all children and youth who will be participating in the RE songs. Classes are practicing over the next few weeks and we will practice as a group on this day.  Please bring your children if they will be here for the Music Service.

Abuse Awareness Training – This training is required of all of our RE teachers.  If you have not yet attended training, you should have received a letter through the mail.  All other persons interested in learning more are welcome to attend on Nov. 20 at noon  in the sanctuary.

December 18 – Christmas Pageant!

December 25 – Family Holiday Celebration – No RE.

January 1 – New Year’s Day – No RE – Childcare Only

The Religious Education Program is in need of a VCR or DVD player.

Needed--If you have one you no longer use or know someone who does, please consider donating it to the church!  Thank you! 

 

RE Attendance:

November 6:  39 children/youth and 10 adults

November 13:  30 children/youth and 11 adults

 

WUUT Has Completed Its Covenant

Michele Tomarelli 

The WUUT gang has completed their Covenant, considered every line, and we’ve prettied up the document for you to see.  As you can see, the WUUTs have drawn heavily from their OWL experiences.  Comments may be addressed to me at tomarelli@insightbb.com or by putting a note in my mailbox next to Reverend Krivchenia’s office door.  I will certainly consider them, and will carry those comments appropriate for youth consideration to the WUUTs for Sunday morning discussion.  We hope you like it.

 

WUUT Covenant,

October 9, 2005

 The name of the group is W_ Unitarian Universalist Teens, in which the meaning of the W_ changes as needed.  Any member of the Unitarian Universalist Church from grades 8 though 12 may be a member.  It is not necessary to attend the Sunday morning meetings religiously to attend other WUUT-related functions.

 

The content of the WUUT Religious Education curriculum, Our Unitarian Universalist Identity, for the 2005-2006 RE year will include the following:

      1. Question and Answer sessions on the history of Unitarian Universalism (UU).            No dull lectures.

      2.  Discussions about topics that concern UUs, and how the Principles and        Covenant influence UU views on those topics.

      3.  One or more projects will be selected that will help make the world better    (also known as “Activism”).  WUUT will try to work on these actions as a group.

      4.  WUUT will do some things to support the church (also known as     “contributions to the church community”).

      5.  WUUT will create a website, with the address www. wuut.us , that will        initially be WUUT Lafayette, only, but WUUT will try to make it good enough       and safe enough to open it to other youth at other UU churches at a later date.     The wuut.us site will have pages available for viewing by UU Lafayette adults,    but the WUUT Forum (discussion pages) will be open to only those youth whose   parents permit them to sign in.  WUUT members only may participate in the             WUUT Forum with the exception of a few adult moderators.

      6.  Every so often, a WUUT session will be devoted to something fun, and not   educational.

      7.  No guided meditations.  Enough is enough.

 

WUUT meetings will take place in Reverend Hilary Landau Krivchenia’s office at the usual RE time, until we find something we like better.  WUUT meetings will be started with a silent chalice lighting. 

WUUT has a policy of Right Relations, that is, WUUTs will try to behave according to the UU Principles.  For exa.m. ple, WUUTs will behave kindly to one another, and to members of the UU Congregation, and respect one another’s rights to have different opinions.  WUUT permits mild cursing and the insulting of certain philosophical perspectives, provided it is done privately and during the WUUT meetings.  What is said during WUUT meetings stays in WUUT meetings: privacy is important.  WUUT members will try to take responsibility for their own actions.

WUUTs wish to be treated with the sa.m. e respect given to adults: if one wouldn’t do it to an adult, it should not be done to a WUUT.  In general, Adults associated with WUUT are expected to observe the following guidelines:

      1.  No fussing about mild cursing.  Adults may curse a little, too.

      2.  Privacy is very important. Adults may not take anything they have learned     during WUUT discussion to other adults unless the speaker is likely to be in real    danger.  Adults may encourage WUUTs to take their problems to their parents or         the minister, or if it is a situation involving distressing interactions, to speak directly to the person that is causing them distress.

      3.  WUUT must be asked for consent before anyone commits them to any         action   or activity.  WUUT must be asked for consent before anyone releases          information about WUUT projects.

      4.  Although Michele Tomarelli may invite adults to be WUUT teachers, any      teacher serves with the approval of WUUT.  Teachers who are disrespectful, who do not listen to what WUUTs have to say or who are really boring teachers will not be asked to return.  Parents of WUUTs may not be WUUT teachers.

A WUUT Parent Auxiliary may be formed to support WUUT activities when WUUT asks them for assistance.  WUUT would like it very much if the WUUT Parent Auxiliary wanted to throw parties or provide other fun things to do.  The WUUT Parent Auxiliary may not commit WUUT to activities, however, as WUUTs prefer to be invited and not commanded.