Unitarian Universalist Church -- Newsletter, Current Issue

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This issue was prepared by Kaye McSpadden.

Passover Seder - Friday, April 14

A Passover Seder will be held at the church on Friday, April 14. Gathering time will be at 5:30pm with the Seder service starting at 6:00pm.

The 3-hour event will be a blend of the traditional Passover service/meal and UU beliefs.

Children of all ages are welcome to this event. Child-care will be available for ages 5 and under up until dinner is served at which time the children in childcare will join us.

In keeping with the Seder tradition we will be asking participants to bring specific Passover foods. This has worked well for us in past years where items were easily found at Marsh stores.

Please remember to bring your own table service including silverware and bowls for Matzo Ball soup!

A reservation by Sunday, April 9, is a must for this event, as we need to know how much food to prepare.

If you will be attending please phone JoAnn Darling . Do not hesitate to leave your response (# of people including children) on JoAnn's voice mail.

SUNDAY MORNING FORUM

The Sunday Morning Forum meets at 9am in the Red Cross building across the parking lot from the church. Everyone is welcome! Childcare is provided.

April 9 "The 40 Developmental Assets for Healthy Children and Families" Jen Bushore, Community Consultant from the Governor's Commission for a Drug-Free Indiana.

What do kids need to succeed? Minneapolis based Search Institute believes it has found out by surveying over 150,000 6th to 12th grade youth in 202 communities. The students were asked about their support systems and values as well as their involvement with drugs and alcohol, sexual activity and violence. The results point to the importance of 40 "assets." Twenty of these are external structures such as family support and 20 are internal values and beliefs such as a sense of the importance of learning and a belief in one's own abilities.

April 16 "Demystifying Easter: A blessing or -??" John Wilms will explore some thoughts of Spong, Darwin, and other participants in a new unified theory of the sciences and the humanities.

Spring Congregational Meeting April 30

The spring congregational meeting has been scheduled for Sunday April 30, following the service. The agenda will include election of Trustees and officers, discussion of new building proposals, brief presentations about the 2005 Congregational Self Assessment recommendations, and discussion about the newsletter publishing schedule.

Tree planting on two Saturdays in April

The Outdoor Group will help the Wildcat Creek Foundation plant trees along the creek on April 15 and 22.

We will plant 800 to 900 seedlings, obtained from the IDNR nurseries, along the creek to create a riparian buffer between the stream and farmland. The buffer will filter sediment and farm chemicals out of the runoff before it reaches the stream. The buffer will also serve as a wildlife corridor and a visual buffer between paddlers and farmland.

We will be ready to start work about 8:30 am on April 15 and 22. Bring shovels, buckets, and rakes (label them). If you want to help, call Tandy Easler, 765-474-5485 for directions. Thanks for your help.

Canoe trip planned for April 30

We are planning to use that "rain check" for the canoe trip that was canceled last October due to creek levels. We will canoe the Wildcat Creek on

Sunday, April 30. We'll have a quick picnic after the congregational meeting at Wildcat Creek Park and canoe the creek following the picnic.

All ages welcome and we're going to try to provide as many canoes as possible for everyone. Please bring your own and maybe your neighbor's

if you can borrow one. Also if you have extra life jackets, please bring them along.

For more information, see Tandy Easler or Mark Krivchenia.

Oak Park trip to visit Unitarian Church designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

The 50th anniversary of Samara, the Frank Lloyd Wright house in West Lafayette, is taking place now. One of the scheduled activities is a trip to Oak Park, IL, on April 29, and will include a visit to the Unitarian Church there. For more information contact Linda Eales at 743-4009 or go to www.samara50.org. -Jean Tyner

Social Action Committee co-sponsors program with ACLU on April 10

Join the Social Action Committee on Monday, April 10 at 7 PM in the sanctuary for "Religious Liberties in America Today: A Community Conversation." The event, co-sponsored by the Greater Lafayette and Purdue chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), will feature an ACLU-produced presentation followed by a panel discussion and question and answer session. Join us as we explore this timely topic. Everyone is encouraged to attend for an informative and insightful discussion.

From the Editors' Desk

We'd like to invite any interested member or friend to become a rotating editor of The Lighted Chalice. This is a creative, independent task for which you'll need computer software, such as Publisher or Pagemaker, to format the newsletter. Preparation of each newsletter requires approximately one working day. We'll explain and share the needed specs and graphics. Please see us in church, or contact us for further information!

-The Editors (see p.7 for contact info)

Retreat Planning Meeting

The Rretreat Planning Committee will meet this Sunday, April 9, after church in Room 4. The all church retreat is scheduled for Aug. 18-20. We need lots of help planning this event to make it a success. It's a once a year volunteer effort, so please join us after church to start planning workshops, food, worship and other fun activities we will have at Ross Camp. Bring a snack to share and please join us.

-Lisa Pantea and Mark Krivchenia

Newsletter proposal on agenda for April 30 congregational meeting

The newsletter editors propose that The Lighted Chalice shift from every two weeks to monthly publication starting with the June issue (for a 6-month trial period). Reasons for this include:

1. Monthly publication will result in considerable savings in cost as well as secretarial and volunteer time.

2. Every week the Sunday Order of Service lists information that is simply duplicated in thenewsletter.

3. Many congregants now read the newsletter on the church website and receive via church e-mail the same notices of timely activities and events that are in the printed newsletter.

The proposal will be on the agenda of the April 30 congregational meeting. We'd appreciate responses to this proposal at lightedchalice@yahoo.com.

-The Editors: Lynn Holland, Nancy Patchen, Kaye McSpadden

"Change for Change" will help T-CAP

We collected $301.14 for CASA in March with our coins and generous hearts! Amazing! Thank You!

With April being Child Abuse Prevention Month, we will collect for T-CAP (Tippecanoe Child Abuse Prevention Council) a non-profit organization that focuses on prevention. T-CAP is sponsoring several events in April to raise awareness and promote family events. See a listing of events at the back of the sanctuary.

T-CAP members go into our schools with programs to educate children to effectively protect themselves from physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. They sponsor several family events during the year to promote healthy family relationships.

T-CAP established and helps support the Heartford House, a neutral, child-friendly, home-like enviornment where the center aims to reduce the trauma of the interview process of an abused child by only having to be interviewed one time in one place. T-Cap adopts the motto "It shouldn't hurt to be a child"

In the back of the sanctuary is a designated section titled "CHANGE." This area will have additional information on the agency we are collecting for each month! Thank you for supporting "change" for our community's children and families!

-Lynn Richardson, Social Action Committee member, Social Action Family and Children Subcommittee chair

Members recommend April 6 speaker

On April 6, 2006, Retired Col. Ann Wright will speak on "Dissent in a Democracy: the War on Iraq" in the Physics Building, Room 112, at 7:30. When Don and I attended the conference entitled "Stop Torture Now" in September, we heard Col. Wright speak. Her experiences in the field of government intelligence are broad. She left the military because of her opposition to a war without the authorization of the United Nations Security Council. It would be well worth your time (and effort) to hear this speech.

-Ruth Ann and Don Ferris

Board of Trustees schedules special board meeting

The special meeting is scheduled for Tuesday April 25, at 6:30 pm in the sanctuary. The Finance Committee will join us as we discuss possible 2006 budget changes and possible future budget changes. The New Building Committee Co-Chairs will participate in a discussion about the financial impact of purchasing St. Andrew.

As always, the board welcomes members and friends to attend this meeting.

-Robin and Dianna Poindexter, Board Co-Chairs

Welcome to our new Webspinner

Dagmar Murray recently became the new webspinner for our website, www.uulafayette.org. Please send website items to this email address: uucwebspinner@yahoo.com. Thank you, Dagmar, for accepting this position. (And how about a big round of thanks to Dianna Poindexter who so ably "spun" our "web" for several years? Thanks, Dianna!)

Support UUs in Homeward Bound walk

Join the Social Action Committee and the Unitarian Universalist Symposium (UUS) as we participate in the Lafayette Homeward Bound Walk on Sunday, April 23 at 2 pm at Riehle Plaza.

The Homeward Bound Walk is a 5K walk-a-thon that benefits nine local homelessness prevention and affordable housing agencies. Assist UUS and the Social Action Committee in our goal of raising $1,000 for this very worthy event.

To make a donation, please contact Charles Coley at sroleg@yahoo.com or 474-7229. Checks may be made payable to "Homeward Bound" and all contributions are tax deductible. Thank you for your support of the Homeward Bound Walk!

UU Book Group

Monday, April 10, 7pm

Shem Creek by Dorothea Benton Frank

Monday, May 8, 7pm

Atonement by Ian McEwan

The Book Group meets on the 2nd Monday of every month at 7pm at Borders Bookshop in Wabash Landing in the lounge area where it joins with Panera's. All are welcome to join us for discussions of books selected by participants.

For more information contact Dagmar Murray

Not so trivial UU trivia

In 1958 the fellowship incorported and bought a house for $15,000 at 439 Harrison Street in West Lafayette, with $2,300 raised in a fund drive from members and friends, combined with a $10,000 bank loan and personal loans of $2,400 from the Raymond Girtons and the Ronald Reids. Annual fund pledges were $2800.

In 1959 the Sunday School attendance grew from 18 in 1953 to 60 children and youth. The Art Fair and circle suppers were started. Karl Lohman remembers "The Associated Parents Nursery School, a group with no religious ties to the fellowship, rented the basement from us. Our children were in both groups. I remember painting the basement with parents from the Nursery Group to improve the space for our children."

Joan Lohman recalls, "We could not afford to hire a janitor, so each family signed up for one weekend of cleaning several times each year. Karl and I would vaccuum and clean the bathrooms and kitchen. Our three children would clean the classrooms. That kind of involvement gives you a real sense of ownership of your church."

-Lynn Richardson

Movie Group

Sunday, April 9, 7:00 pm: "The Name of the Rose" 1986. 128 Minutes. VHS. Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud. Sean Connery, E. Murray Abraham, Christian Slater. A monkish Sherlock Holmes trying to solve a series of murders in a fourteenth century monastery. Three stars from Martin and Porter

Movies are shown at 221 S. 7th Street, a large brick house up on three terraces on the east side of S. 7th Street just past the old railroad corridor three blocks south of the UU Church. Parking up the driveway at the south end of the lot.

Minister�s Muse

This past Sunday many members of the congregation visited the St. Andrew building and saw a future with real space for all our dreams. During the service in the morning I reminded people that in order to get from here to there (from our smaller space to the space we dream of), we cannot wait to prepare for the future we hope for, whether it is at St. Andrew or some other option the congregation chooses at the April 30 congregational meeting.

I could feel the excitement in the congregation during the visit-I feel that excitement myself. It will require generosity, energy, vision, focus and work. I believe this is a great time for the congregation to be moving toward a new adventure. There are so many new people attending our services, so much vibrant life. It's a hopeful time for this church.

In the meantime, to grow in a new place we have to first help ourselves grow where we're planted. I offered a challenge: if you want to make any move, any change, successful, whether to the St. Andrew building or elsewhere, then there are things we can do right now to make this congregation strong enough and ready for the growth that will meet us upon such a change. I offered a list of things that I offer again here. If you want to read the sermon it will be online soon. Still I want to offer a challenge-that each of you take on one or two of these and stretch yourself to pitch in. Call me if you need some guidance on where to get connected, or contact Alana Steffen as Chair of Program Council. To be nourished by future realities we must work to make a real beginning here in the present.

I offer this short list of concrete things you can do so we all understand that our flourishing is in our hands now. If you think we're ready for more space, let that excitement and hope energize you to offer your help, your time, creativity, and your resources so that we are working steadily toward the future for which you hope.

Henry David Thoreau said: "If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them." I offer this list as the building blocks of a solid foundation.

Annual Summer Picnic: Sunday, May 21

The annual summer picnic has been set for May 21 after church at Shelter #4, Happy Hollow Park. We have the shelter reserved from 11am- 3 pm. This is a potluck following the Sunday worship service, so please bring a dish to pass and your own place setting. Drinks and hotdogs will be provided. Frisbees, soccer balls, dogs are all welcome! Volunteers are needed to help with setup and cooking hotdogs. Please contact or email Lisa Pantea, lpantea@hotmail.com, 746-1710.

Nominating Committee presents slate of candidates

The Nominating Committee is pleased to present the following slate of candidates for the spring election:

Board Chair-Elect (3 year term)-Beverly Seese

Trustee (3 year term)-Kim Harden

Trustee (2 year term)-Pending (Note: this is the position formerly filled by Volker Thomas)

Treasurer (1 yr term) -Janice Sojka Kritchevsky

Asst Treasurer (1 yr term) -Volker Thomas

Secretary (1 yr term)-Dagmar Murray

Nominating Committee (3 yr term)-Kyler Laird

Endowment Committee (3 yr term)-Dan Lybrook

We are grateful to all the candidates for their willingness to serve in these important leadership roles. The election will take place at the annual congregational meeting on April 30. New terms will begin on June 1.

Thanks to everyone who spoke with us during the past several months. We had many enjoyable conversations with members who shared their interests, commitments, and experiences with us.

-Nominating Committee: Kaye McSpadden, Noemi Ybarra, Lisa Pantea, Nancy Patchen

Religious Education Happenings

Religious Education Director: Michele Tomarelli, tomarelli@insightbb.com or 497-7792

What Is A "Youth Con"?

No, it's not a chance for a young person to commit a swindle, nor is it a chance to "sting" a kid. It's a Convention. According to the Heartland UU District, " The purpose of these gatherings is to provide a safe environment for learning, leadership, developing personal growth, fostering spirituality, and improving relationship skills." Oh, and to have fun!

One of the things the WUUTs said they wanted to do this year is to attend a con. There are several regional Youth Cons offered every year, and one is coming up very soon. The CONfetti will be in Dayton Ohio, May 5-7. The agenda looks like loads of fun, and there will be a workshop on Social Action, something the WUUTs say they are particularly interested in doing. ( For latest details go to http://www.heartlanduu.org/yruu/ )

In order for the WUUTs to attend this con, several things are needed. First, a space has to be cleared in their busy schedules. Our kids are very busy people, and it is up to them and even more, up to their parents to decide that going to a UU Youth Con is worth skipping a few things on their agendas. That's hard, I know.

The next thing is that we need a couple of adult volunteers to drive the gang to and from Dayton. Never having been to a con as an adult, I'm not sure what the adults do while the kids are conventioning, but Dayton is a big town, and I expect the adults can have a fine time. (Or you could just relax-how often can you do that without guilt?) The kindly driving adults are most likely to be parents, but that isn't mandatory: other adults who would like to help are welcome as well.

The third thing we need is enthusiasm! The WUUTs have it, but they can't get to a con by themselves, so they need enthusiasm from us as well.

Anyone willing to help with making the CONfetti a reality for the youth of this congregation should please contact Michele Tomarelli (see above).

"Behind Bars," a conference for UUs working or volunteering in the field of criminal justice and prison ministry, will be held April 21-23 in St. Paul, Minnesota. For info call 612-228-1456 or go to www.unityunitarian.org.

Congregational reputation attracts community group

Often, members of our congregation can be unaware of the response that we get from the community at large when our church takes prominent positions on social issues. So it is worth taking time to mention an example of a positive response stemming from some of our recent Outreach activity. An outside group is now using our facilities for their meetings focusing on recovery from alcoholism and the spiritual aspects of recovery. The group was meeting elsewhere in town, but approached us because of our reputation as a welcoming and affirming congregation, open to spiritual inquiry and respecting the value of all faith traditions. The group felt that we would provide a sheltering location for their discussions. The group is now meeting at the 7th Street building as a regular, open weekly meeting. Interested parties can find a complete listing of this and similar meetings in our community by contacting Alcoholics Anonymous.

1st Annual Faith & Freedom Dinner of the Indiana Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. Sat., April 22, Best Western, Lafayette. www.ircrc.org or contact Kaye McSpadden