BoaBoard Highlights from August Meeting

·         Authorize building maintenance  expenditures for bat removal, exit light  repairs.  Tucking pointing under investigation.

·         Approved Change for Change proposal from  Social Action Committee.

·         Approved request from Worship & Music  for hymnal fundraiser.

·          Still pursuing 3rd member of Finance Committee

·         Hiring a church secretary - work in progress

 

The August Church Mouse Award goes to ... Beverly Seese for all the things she does to make our church  run smoothly and be a more pleasant place.  She plans worship services, shares words of wisdom, sings, cleans the kitchen, plans soup, fellowship and conversation, smiles warmly, and helps out in countless other ways.  We greatly appreciate all Beverly does.

 ~Dagmar Murray, Secretary, Board of Trustees

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Art Sale Volunteers Needed

            The UU Art Sale will be coming up at the beginning of December, and it is time to start planning.

                Anyone interested in planning this year’s art sale, please contact Jennifer Cominetti-Craig .

 

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Explore the Heritage Trail — Sept. 25

                The Outdoor Group is planning its September outing along the Wabash Heritage Trail.  Plan to meet Sunday, Sept. 25th at 1:30 pm at the Davis

Ferry boat access parking lot.  We'll hike South for awhile and turnaround to hike back when everyone feels like it.  Check out_http://www.indianatrails.org/Wabash_Heritage.html for more information about the trail.  Dogs and children encouraged.

                Any questions...see or call Tandy Easler.

 

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“Singing the Journey” News

Many thanks to everyone who has made a donation towards the new hymnal supplement, “Singing the Journey.” Our goal is to buy 75 copies plus three large-print/keyboard editions. We hope to have the campaign completed by the end of September. Please get your donation in soon! Order forms are at the back of the sanctuary, or contact the church secretary. Donations are $16 and you have the option to make a special designation (“In honor of” or “In memory of”) for a bookplate that will be placed in the book.

Several people have asked if they can order a copy for their own personal use. The answer is “yes!” ….as long as you also donate one for the church. … (Just kidding.) … (Not really.) If you order one for your own personal use through the church’s bulk order, you will save on shipping & handling costs. Just write a note to make it clear that you are ordering one for yourself.

If you have any questions about the new hymnal supplement project, contact Kaye McSpadden .

Donations received so far:
In memory of Janet Gates—Herschel & Virginia Lewis
In honor of Zedekiah Rain—Angie & Rich Shamo
In memory of Helen C. Pierce—Edie & Volker Thomas
In honor of Erika Thomas—Edie & Volker Thomas
Stephen Liebbe
In memory of Martha Warren Hertel—Tom Hertel (2)
In memory of Sara Josefina Isla—Adriela Fernandez (2)
In honor of my granddaughter, Julia Sharapi—Nancy Patchen
In honor of my daughter, Jennifer Robinson—Nancy Patchen
In memory of Virginia Pearlman—Norman Pearlman (3)
In memory of Leland McSpadden—Kaye & Bruce McSpadden
Robin & Dianna Poindexter (2)
In honor of Kaye McSpadden who enriched the musical and spiritual lives of my family—Kris Taylor (2)
Sue Thomas
 

 

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Thanks, Dining Court Workers!

The Social Responsibility Committee thanks our church members and friends who worked in the Purdue Ford Dining Court as a money making project for our committee. Each of the following worked at least one meal shift and several worked two. Mary Ann Foley tops the list working five meals.

We will let you know our plans for the earnings after our meeting Sept. 14th. Join us for this meeting if you would like to take part in this decision making process and to hear a report on the community child abuse issue from Lynn Richardson.
Thanks to all of you!

Bill Asher, Caroline Barnhart, Marty Becker,Rae Brandt, Keith Brown, Charles Coley, Keith Dannenfelser, Mary Finley, Amy French, Mary Ann Foley, Josh Frye, Cheryl Fowler, Mark Krivchenia, Kyler Laird, Edwin Layer, Martha Lempke, Jo Ann Mullen, Ellen Phelps, Sue Robinson, Jill Salem, Jane Schmitt,
Dave Shelton, Virginia Smith, Dick Trent, Jerry  rudel, Jean Tyner, Trudy Wildfleur
 

~ Sue Robinson

 

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 “Lay Leader 1: Drive Time Essays”

   

Several copies of this CD for UU Lay Leaders (like you!) are now circulating.

It contains 21 short, spoken essays designed to engage, inspire, uplift, enlighten, rejuvenate, and motivate.

Ask the secretary to put you on the list to listen to a copy.

 

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 UU and You Series Begins Oct. 9      

 

      A new series of orientation sessions begins Sunday, October 9 at the church.  The sessions will be immediately after the service. Lunch and childcare included!
 

     These sessions are for anyone interested in learning more about Unitarian-Universalism, and are important for anyone considering joining the church.  They will include a discussion of the UU Principles, a look at the history of the Lafayette organization, along with a thought-provoking, insightful diversity activity, spiritual journeys, interesting facts about UU history in general, a look at our denominational connections, and an introduction to the  organizational structure of our church.

 

       The series will be October 9, 16, and 23rd from noon to 1:30 p.m.  A final celebratory session will be scheduled later.  Those who can not attend all of the sessions are welcome to come to those they can.

 

       If you are interested in attending, there is a sign up sheet at the back of sanctuary.
 

      If you have questions, please contact any member of the Greeting and Membership Committee.

                                ~Martha Lempke

                                   Greeting&Membership Committee

 

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Want to be “One of UUS?”

The UUS, Unitarian Universalist Symposium,  will focus on building a greater sense of community within the church. The group will meet weekly for great food and conversation and participate in monthly service activities.

The first meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 7, at Salisbury Grill, 920 N. Salisbury.

Contact Alanna or Charles Coley.

 

 

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   Enjoy Mediterranean Dinner and Music

                The Young Adults Group of our church and Pride Lafayette are sponsoring “Side by Side with Pride” on Saturday, Sept. 17, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the church. Dinner at 6:30 p.m. will be followed by speakers and a musical program featuring our own Jane Alexander and Kaye McSpadden.
 

                Tickets are $10 per adult and $5 for children under 12. Make checks payable to Pride Lafayette.
 

All proceeds will go to Pride Lafayette, a GLBT nonprofit community center.
 

For tickets or information, contact Charles Coley.
 

To help with food donations or preparation, contact Pride Lafayette Secretary Michael Behrens.

               

 

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What An Opportunity!
 

            On October 1, 2005, Jerry King, a UUA Congregational Fundraising Consultant, will be here to conduct a workshop for our congregation. I have heard him speak many times, and I feel certain he will emphasize the positive attributes of discussing programs in the church, of making personal visits, and of believing in the reality of abundance as we conduct our annual canvass.

 

            While this workshop was set up for this year’s; volunteer canvassers, it is open to anyone who wishes to hear a dynamic speaker and to learn more about the workings of a stewardship drive and how it plays into the financial workings of the Church.
 

            October 1 is the date, 8:30-12:00 a.m. is the time, the UU Church is the place.  Reservations are required for the workshop and the brunch that will be served. Reservations may be made by email to uuc@uulafayette.org or by calling Janice at 742-0460.  Y’all come!
 

                        ~Ruth Ann Ferris

                                    For the Stewardship Committee

 

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UU Made Quilts to be Raffled

The UU Campers Quilting Bee has produced two (possibly three) hand-pieced quilts using reproduced 1930s fabrics. We would like to use these for fundraising. The first is to be raffled at $1 per ticket (or 6 for $5) with a drawing at the close of the Art Fair in early December.

The quilt will be displayed at our congregational meeting on Sept. 11 and then on our website, www.uufolks.org.

~Patty Wood
 

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Thinking Scripture to Begin Sept. 28
 

Shortly we will begin our year long exploration of the Christian Scripture.  Janice Thiel and Rev. Hilary will be co-leaders.  Like the previous Hebrew Bible course, this will be guided by your own study and participation. Thus we would like to see how much interest there is and to roughly project participation.  Please call the church office at 742-0460 to let us know.
 

The class will meet on the 2^nd and 4^th Wednesday each month at 6:00 for a bag dinner and a class which will run until 7:30.    The course will cover a series of Biblical Frameworks and include support readings – the option of books but also smaller handouts to provide background and stimulus for discussion.
 

The basic course outline is as follows:
 

Historical Framework:  The times of Jesus

Conceptual Framework: Who, what is Jesus?  Healer, Teacher, Rabbi, Christ…?

Scriptural Framework:  The Religion of Jesus or         the Religion about Jesus. What did Jesus really say vs. the interpretive communities who have shared his teaching.

Ethical Framework: What is the relevance of the  teaching and the life of Jesus in our time?
 

We will also take time to discuss issues such as: the virgin birth, the resurrection, miracles, man or god, the significance of baptism, the last supper, the role of the Magdalene, Jesus as Jewish Prophet or founder of a new religion, Christian identity, role of Christianity in the present and future of Unitarian Universalism – and others you may think up.

 

We recommend that you begin with reading Marcus Borg’s small book: Meeting Jesus Again for the First time.  We will bring in speakers as we or you find them and we look forward to a year of adventure in Thinking Scripture.  The class will begin on September 28^th – remember to Bring Your Own Bible and your own dinner. 

 

 

Religious Education Happenings

 

RE Co- Directors Sarah Boulac and Michele Tomarelli


Summer is always a bit quieter here at church; we consolidate our classes and see fewer families each week as people are away on vacation and taking time to let the sunshine recharge their batteries. Now that fall is quickly approaching, people are making their way back home, our new program year has begun, and the excitement is back in full force. What a joy it is to see the faces and hear the voices of everyone circling back into the groove of the Sunday routine, seeing good friends and making new ones.

This is our year in Religious Education to focus on our Unitarian Universalist Heritage and classes will be looking more closely at how our faith has formed over time and also how each of us choose to live our lives as UUs.

I am interested in learning about how the families of our church stay in touch with their spiritual selves throughout the week. Sundays are important times to get in touch with that part of ourselves, to remember that we are part of something much greater, that the way we live can make a difference to our world, and to reflect on what that means to each of us as individuals. But, Sundays aren’t the only days happens and church isn’t the only place it happens.

I am curious about the rituals and practices you integrate into your homes that connect you as a family or connect you to the awe that is a part of life, as well as those that you use to share your values with our world. Do you light a chalice before family meals, take a walk together in the evenings and enjoy one another’s company? Perhaps you make a habit taking time to simply appreciate those that are a part of your life. Are there services or projects that you participate in that fulfill you and bring richness to your life like the upcoming Hunger Hike or donating to help those whose lives have changed after Hurricane Katrina?
Perhaps you participate in other activities that are outward actions reflecting your inner values.

If you would like to share what touches your spirit during the week, please email me or send me a note. Also, if you would like to incorporate more worship at home and would like some ideas or starting points, please share that as well. The DREs and the Religious Education Committee are here as resources and I want to do whatever I can to support families in their journey through the spirit.

 

 

 ~ Sarah


Teacher Schedule

                                             Sept. 11                       Sept. 18
Preschool Teacher                 C. Frye                       C. Frye
Kind. – 1st Grade                  B. Misner                    B. Misner
2nd – 4th Grade                    S. Boulac                     S. Boulac

 

 

Upcoming in RE

• Attention First Graders and Parents!! On September, 18th we will have our annual First Grade Recognition Ceremony during the intergenerational portion of the service. During this Ceremony, our first graders will be honored for their ever widening curiosity as they begin to learn to read. Please contact Sarah Boulac if your first grader will be able to participate on this day:

• Religious Education Registration – All children participating in RE Classes are required to be registered. This allows us to have contact information for parents, medical information so we are aware of any allergies or issues that may need attention on Sunday mornings and statistical information for planning purposes. Please register your child/youth by the third visit. Contact Sarah or Michelle for the registration form.