bull run unitariannewsletter/november2017.pdf · november 2017 crossroads 1 universalists s bull...

November2017Crossroads

1

BullRunUnitarianUniversalistsC

ROSSROADS

Volume35

Edition11

November2017

GratitudeWhenIwasachild,myfather’swayofteachingmecompassionwastomakesureIwasawareofpeopleinlessfortunatecircumstances.Hewouldusuallysay,“There,butfortheGraceofGod,goI.”Igetwhathewastryingtotellme–thatthiscouldbeanyofus.Butthattheologyisfaulty.God’sGracedoesn’tpickmeouttobeinbettercircumstancesthansomeoneelse.No–Godweepswithuswhenweweep,andGodrejoiceswithuswhenwerejoice.Ieventuallylearnedthatitisn’taboutgivingthanksthatmycircumstancesaren’tasbadassomeoneelse’s.Ilearnedtofindawaytogivethanksinallthings.

AndIhavesomuchtobegratefulfor.Yes,I’vesufferedmyshareofgrief,butI’vealsoknowngreatjoy.IcouldneverhaveknownthegriefI’veknownifIhadn’tfirstbeenabletocelebratethejoysoflovingmyfamily.

Butmostofourdaysaren’tfilledwithsuchextremes.Mostofourdaysareordinarydays.Andinthesedaysit’sstillawonderfulspiritualpracticetofindthingstobegratefulfor.

(Continuedonpage2)


IntheInterim,continuedfrompage1

I’mthankfulforacozybedandwarmblankets.I’mthankfulforhelpfulpeoplewho’vehelpedmetofixbigthingsandlittlethingsanddonemytaxesforme.I’mthankfulforIshmaelthecat,whodecidedthatwewerethefamilyhewasgoingtoadoptlastyear.AndI’msothankfulforallofyou.ThepeopleofBRUU.Youngpeoplewhodrawpicturesandsometimesgivethemtome.Grownpeoplewhodiveintotheworkofchangeevenwhenit’suncomfortable.Volunteerswhosay“ofcourse!”whenaskedifathingcanbedone.

Whatareyouthankfulfor?Whomareyouthankfulfor?ThismonthIchallengeyoutopauseforamomenteachdayandconsiderwhatitisyouarethankfulforthatday.Youmightevenwanttokeepagratitudejournal.Andifyou’resomoved,youmightevensay“Thankyou”tothoseyou’rethankfulfornowandthen.Letusgivethanks!

Inshalom,

Rev.Madelyn

LiturgicalCalendarNovember2017

1AllSaintsDay(Christian)

Samhain(Wiccan/Euro-pagan)

2AllSoulsDay(Christian)

4BirthdayofGuruNanakDevSahib(Sikh)12BirthofBaha'u'llah(Baha’i)

23Thanksgiving(Interfaith)24MartyrdomofGuruTeghBahdur(Sikh)

26DayoftheCovenant(Baha’i)

28Ascensionof'Abdu'l-Baha(Baha’i

Christmas Eve already? It’s far too early for Christmas music in the stores, but if you’d like to be part of the biblical storytelling extravaganza on Christmas Eve, contact Rev. Madelyn. Many parts available! We’ll be having a Lessons & Carols service at 7:30 pm and there will be opportunities for many storytellers. You can do this! And it’s fun!


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NOTES FROM ANNEASE

Evensong service November 17 “Finding Peace and Comfort Amidst Holiday Bustle”

Many find the holiday season to be a stressful time; too busy, too much noise, too many reminders of loss. During this hectic period, how can we create space in our lives for silence and peace, for honoring memories of the past and those not with us, for a new vision of the holidays that holds meaning and nourishes our spirits? Join us for a contemplative service of music and personal stories.

Annease Hastings, Director of Music

BRUU's own Uncle Sam wants YOU to join the army of the Krewe!

Have you taken the Myers-Briggs test and been told you are an introvert? Or have you ever wanted to get involved and help around BRUU but cringe at the idea of meetings? Are you busy most of the week and only have some extra time either before or after service on Sundays? Well have we got the solution for you! We're looking for "fresh meat" to join us in the kitchen as a member of the Kitchen Krewe (vegan meat accepted too!!) Ponder that perhaps it never dawned on you how vital a job it is to prepare the coffee (and hot water for tea) before service begins or to help maintain decorum with clean-up after. Without such sustenance we should question our very ability to maintain civility! Yes, one might even go as far as to say it could literally be YOU pulling us back from the precipice and providing the 'balance of the fellowship'! Interested? We'd love to have you either as a substitute occasional 'alternate' or as a rotating scheduled member! Feel free to contact Tony (Uncle Sam I am) Main at [email protected] or 571-274-4572 at any time.


From the DRE…. Lastmonth,IwroteaboutFallbeingmyfavoriteseason.Finallyitishere.Canyouhearit?Thatcrinkley,scrapey,swhishing,swirlingofleavesonthegroundaroundyou?Theairiscrispandcoolandtheskyisblueandsunny.

It’snotthatIdisliketheotherseasons.Theyallhavetheirmessagesandpurposes.Winterbegsustohibernate,despiteourmoderndaylifestyle.Springgentlymassagesourshoulders,likeacoachpsychingusupwithallourpotentialbeforethrustingusintoSummer,theseasonofhighactivityandaction.Allgood,butthereissomethingaboutFall.

Fallcallsustobeinbalance,andleadsbyexample.Sunnyskiesand50degreetemps.Lookingaheadanddroppingwhatwillweighusdown. Compostingwhatwillstewintofuturegrowth.Haveyoueverwatchedthemotionofthosecrinkley,scrapeyleaves?Tinygentleswirlsthatcleartheair,asiftheyarenature’senergeticbrooms.

Thosecrinkleyleavesinvokeanother,sortofPavlovianresponse:theattentiontogratitude.Now,weallcanagreethatweshouldkeepgratitudeinourheartsallyearlong,butjustlikeValentine’sDayhasFebruary,Gratitudegetstoshinenow.

Iinviteyoutonamewhatyouaregratefulfor.Ialwaysdo,andIdoitinwaysthatno-oneelseknowsaboutandhasnonecessitytosayatadinnertable.Taketheopportunitytonoticeandrespondtothecrinkles,scrapesandswirls.Everytimeyouhearthatsound,orseethatswirl,sayoutloudorsilently,justonethingthatenrichesyourlife.Here’safewIsaidrecentlyuponacrinkleandaswirl:Iamthankfulformybrother,whoisasiblingandalsoareligiousprofessional.Idependonhimforsomanyreasons.Iamthankfulforcriticism.Howelsedoesonereallyassesandimprove?GratefulandenlightenedforthefollowingresponsewhenIapologizedforamistake:“I’msohappytohavehumanbeingsinmylife.”Andthankfulfortheneighborhoodteenthatvolunteeredtoweed-whackmyyard.Iamgratefultheleaveswillcontinuetocrinkleandswirlforafewmoreweeks,andthatIwillrememberthesoundallyearlong.

BlessedBe,

KristinWorthington,DirectorofReligiousEducation


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BRUUBoardofDirectors:October2017MeetingHighlights

TheBoardagreedtoaccepttheroutinereportsandotherpre-vetteditemsincludedonthemonthlyconsentagenda.WediscussedtheBoardJournalClubreadingofaselectionmadebyBethRoemmeltfromchurchleadership.comondevelopingleaders.Ifyou’reinterested,thisarticleisavailableathttps://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/3-surefire-ways-to-fail-in-developing-leaders/.TheProgramCouncilModeratorreportedonPCactivities–ofparticularnotewastheongoingefforttoensurethatcommitteeshaveanup-to-datecharterdefiningeachgroup’smandateandorganizationalstructure.Asnewchartersbecomeavailable,theywillbesubmittedtotheBoardforendorsement.TheProgramCouncilModeratoralsocirculatedthefirstcutofacomprehensive,descriptivelistofallcommittees,taskforces,teams,andothergroupsfunctioningatBRUU.WediscussedreconstitutingtheBRUUPersonnelCommittee.HeatherBertholdwillcoordinatethiseffortinconsultationwithReverendMadelyn.TheBoardreviewedtheproposalbytheFundraisingCommitteetohostbingogamesthreetimesayearasameansofgeneratingrevenueandincreasingsocialoutreach,anddiscussedtheprosandconsoftheproposalsubmittedbytheFinanceCommittee.AfinaldecisiononapprovalbytheBoardwasdeferredpendingapresentationbytheoriginatoratafutureBoardmeeting.

MikeClearyledadiscussionofthestrategytobepursuedforadoptingandformalizingthecongregationalcovenant.Rev.MadelynCampbellcommittedtosecuringalargeprintversionofthecovenantsuitableforsigningbymembers.MikemovedthattheBoardcommittothelong-termpromotionandsupportofBRUU’scongregationalcovenant,motionpassed.ArtMuirheadledadiscussiononthedevelopmentofBRUU’sexistingLong-RangePlan,andonmeansforimprovingtheLRP,especiallyintermsofincreasinginclusiveness,trackingprogressandregisteringoutcomes.TheBoardagreedtoestablishingataskforce,strategy,andtimelineforupdatingtheLRPinthecourseofthechurchyear.HeatherandArtwillcoordinateonimplementation.ThenextBoardmeetingwillbeheldonNovember14,2017(secondTuesday)at7pm.

Contactmeifyouhavequestionsorconcernsatpresident@bruu.orgor703-266-1949(home).

ArtMuirhead,President,BRUUBoardofDirectors


"Will the new minister hear me? Will my concerns and needs be met? How will the community respond to our minister?’ Perhaps a picture of the "ideal minister" by age, race, or other orientation comes to mind. With this picture in place, it can be easy to unintentionally exclude ministers who fall into certain categories. As we get caught up in comparing candidates to our "picture," we can even forget what it is we deeply hoped for in a minister. On December 2 and 3, BRUU will participate in the Beyond Categorical Thinking (BCT) workshop offered by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) for congregations involved in the search for a new minister. Our Search Committee invites everyone to participate in this workshop. BCT promotes inclusive thinking and helps prevent unfair discrimination in the search process for a new minister. This is a two part program: a three-hour BCT workshop Saturday and a Sunday morning service with facilitators trained by the UUA. In the workshop we will * Consider the hopes, expectations, and concerns we have for a new minister * Learn more about the ministerial search process, and * Explore how thinking categorically sometimes interferes with choosing the best candidate. Come on Saturday, December 2 at 2:00 p.m. in the BRUU sanctuary to participate in this UUA-sponsored workshop, led by Amanda Schumer and the BRUU Search Committee. Participation in this seminar is a key part of BRUU's preparation for calling a minister, and an opportunity to do social justice work within our BRUU community. Your presence will demonstrate BRUU's commitment to being a Welcoming Congregation for LGBTQ persons as well as an anti-racist congregation, and our commitment to being a congregation that looks beyond the exterior of a candidate to see the character and skills of that person. Have questions? Contact Dionne Stephenson or any other member of the Settled Minister Search Committee.


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DiscourseonFreedomofthePulpitByTheSettledMinisterSearchCommittee

What It Is

Freedom of the pulpit is in the very fabric of Unitarian Universalism. Without such freedom of expression, the leaders and stars of UU history could not have forged and spread their important ideas that changed the world. It is in the crucible of debate and discourse that real and positive change in civil rights and social activism are born, changes which are integral to the UU faith. Simply, a minister’s freedom of expression of the pulpit must be upheld.

(Continued on page 8)

WorshipServicesinNovember11/05 Reverse Question Box

You’ve had a chance to ask Rev. Madelyn all sorts of things in a service this summer. Put your theological thinking caps on because Rev. Madelyn is ready to ask you!

11/12 Who Owns a Woman’s Body (Auction Sermon) Last year Pat Malarkey bought Rev. Madelyn’s sermon at the auction. Come find out what she’s asked Rev. Madelyn to preach about.

11/19 Thanksgiving Let us give thanks to one another and for the many small blessings in our lives.

11/26 Enough is As Good As a Feast

In this post-prandial service, when the holiday shopping season is in full force, let us pause to consider what we already have. What do we have, what do we need, and how is that different from what we want.


Discourse on Freedom of the Pulpit, continued…

Why We Have It…

When a congregation calls a minister, the call says that the people of the church respect who the minister is. Most likely, the minister was called because their views are similar to those of the congregation. But not necessarily in every respect.

…Even When It’s Hard

If we are to have a diversity of opinions, the case for freedom of the pulpit becomes clear. BRUU’s axiom of being “a safe community for seeking and service” also implies that all congregants must feel safe to express their views as well, whether or not it is in the majority. Logically and morally, that courtesy must be extended to the minister.

Sharing Our Views…

Our freely chosen faith is not without conflict. It is therefore prudent to hold a standard that ministers are faithful to UU principles in how they share their opinions. Simple, respectful courtesies are expected of the minister and the congregation as well. These include:

• when speaking on any subject, keep content and delivery appropriately respectful,

• bear in mind that you may be mistaken, • refer to current and sound research on the topic if possible, and • share direct past experience with the topic that supports their position.

And Listening, Too

Differing political, social, spiritual, and religious views are often at the core of any UU congregation’s ongoing dialog. A minister may disagree with the congregation on any topic, but there should be no repercussions for this as long as the minister’s viewpoints are expressed as described above. Such dialog builds better relationships and a stronger sense of family within a congregation.


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NovemberFamilyCalendar

Thursday, Nov 2: Youth choir 6:30-7:30

Friday, Nov 3: Seekers visit to Congregation Ner Shalom Sunday, Nov 5: Youth sing at service Sunday, Nov 5: Children's choir 11:15-11:45 Sunday, Nov 5: Youth choir 11:45-12:15 Sunday, Nov 12: Children's choir 11:15-12:15 (lunch to follow) Sunday, Nov 12: OWL 4-6 Sunday, Nov 19: Seekers visit to Herdon Friends Quaker Meeting Sunday, Nov 19: Youth choir 11:15-12:15 Sunday, Nov 26: OWL 4-6


ScenesfromVolunteerFair!PhotoscourtesyofNinaLomax


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BRUU’s Wide World of Committees byKathySobrio,ProgramCouncilChair

IsBRUUmostlyaSundaymorningaffair?Afewmightthinkso,yetthatpictureisasmallpartofBRUU’srobustlife.BRUUhasanextensivecommunityofcommitteesthataddtothevitalityofthecongregation.We’dliketointroduceoneofthem:TheMembershipCommittee.

The Membership Committee Needs Many TalentsWhatisitabouttheMembershipCommitteethatattracteditsmembersinthefirstplace?Somewillsaytheywantedanaturalwaytogettoknownewpeople.Others,whohavefoundafamilygrouptheyloveinBRUU’slivelycongregation,willsayit’sfulfillingtointroducenewpeopletotheUUwayoflivingthatfirstinspiredthemasvisitorstoBRUU.

TheMembershipCommittee’smostpublicfaceisitsVisitorGreeters,thefriendlyfolkswhowelcomenewpeopleonSundaymorningsandprovidethemwithaninformationpacketaboutBRUU.ButtheMembershipCommittee’smissioncallsforpeoplewithawidevarietyoftalents.

SomeMembershipCommitteemembersprefertoworkwithreturnvisitorswhowanttoconsiderjoiningBRUU.Theylikegettinginvolvedinthewin-winatmosphereofnewcomerswhofeelthey’vefinallyfoundtheir“birdsofafeather”.ThesemembersorganizetheUUinaNutshellclasses,theNewcomersWelcomedinner,andtheNewMembersWelcomingCeremonyataSundayservice.

OtherCommitteemembersaredatabaseoriented,andthere’sworkforthemtoosinceMembershipisresponsibleforprovidingmembercountsanddatatosupporttheworkofvariousprogramdirectors.Membershipneedscomputer-savvypeoplewhoenjoylearningcomputerprogramslikeBRUU’snewPowerChurchsystem.WiththeknowledgeofPowerChurch’scapabilities,theseCommitteememberscantrackpeoplefromfirst-timevisitthroughnewmemberstatus,generateup-to-dateinformationforthenextBRUUMembershipDirectory,andprovidemembershipdatatohelpBRUU’scommitteesdotheirimportantworkinfulfillingourcongregation’smanymissions.

SpeakingoftheMembershipDirectory,thispartofMembership’sworkcallsforartistsandvisionaries.TheCommitteeisresponsibleforproducingBRUU’sMembershipdirectory.Artisticmembersbringaneyeforpagedesignthatwilldisplaythedirectory’sinformationinavisuallyinterestingway.Visionariesworkwiththecomputer-savvymemberstobringcreativenewideastoplanningfuturedirectoriesthatareeasiertouseandmoreeasilykeptup-to-date.IfyoufindyourselfinterestedinthemissionoftheMembershipCommittee’sextensiveworkandyou’dliketoknowmore,contactFayeSledge,[email protected].


TheWayISeeItOurBRUUAnnualAuctionisjustafewdaysaway.Bynowyou’vebeenseeingandhearingallsortsofthingslinkedtothisreallybigshew(yes,I’moldenoughtorememberEdSullivan)thatoccupiesapremierspotontheBRUUcalendar.Thereareremindersaboutgettinginyouritemsforthecatalog,solicitationstohelpoutwithfoodandaccountingandset-up,funauctionmomentscompletewithfunnyhatsduringtheservice.Iwon’tdwellonthese,butIdowanttourgeeveryonetoperkupandberesponsivewhenyouseethem.RatherthangivingyouacourseinAuction101,Iwanttoreflectforamomentonwhythiseventissoimportanttowhoweareasacommunity–thisismypersonnelpaeantotheBRUUAuction.WhenMarthaandIfirststartedgettinginvolvedinBRUUseveralyearsago,wesawalottolike:spirituallysatisfyingandthought-provokingservices,motivatedpeoplededicatedtoworkingforarangeofsocialjusticecauses,andjustageneralsenseofbeingapartofacaringcommunity.Buttherewasonethingthatwasstillamystery,thatpeoplespokeofintonesofreverenceandawe,thatgeneratedgrowinganticipationasthedategrewnear:THEAUCTION.WhenwewenttoourfirstAuction,weunderstoodthereasonforallthefuss.Itwasfun!!!Theitemsintheauctionweregreatopportunitiesforhavingnewexperiences,eatingsomeunbelievablegourmetmeals,gettingservicesyoureallyneeded,orbuyingtheperfectcurioorgift.Andtheauctioneerswereentertaining!!!It’snowonderwehavefolkswhoareinvitedtocomebackyearafteryear;they’vehonedtheircrafttoafineartovertime.AndthebestpartwasthattheAuctionwasthegiftthatkeepsongiving,thatensuresthatyoucanfurnishyourselfwithayear-longsocialcalendarthatwouldmakeEuropeanroyaltypalewithenvy(iftheyonlyknew).Asnewcomers,wewereabletogettoknowlotsoffellowcongregantsquicklyatdinners,hikes,tours,performances,ballgames,andaslewofotheramazinghappenings.WehadseentheAuction,andwewerehooked.AndasIbecamemoreengagedatBRUUandstartedtogetinvolvedinthefinancialsideofwhatkeepsusgoing,IcametoseehowimportanttheAuctionistomaintainingouraccountsintheblack.Thisyear,theAuctionwillaccountforaboutsevenandahalfpercentofallourprojectedrevenues.That’sabitmorethanenoughtopayforallourutilities,repairsandinsuranceforayear,orWAYmorethanwhat’sneededtocoverourmortgage.Conclusion:we’vegotthebestofbothworldshere,achancetocometogetherandenjoyeachother’scompany,andawayofkeepingourfinanceshealthyandhappy.Takeitfromatruebeliever,youcan’taffordtomisstheBRUUAuction.Period.Fullstop.Andinclosing,aspecialshout-outtoJanetteMuir,whosteppedupwhenweneededtofindaChairinthelateinningsthisyear,andwhocontinuestoinspireusallwithhercompassionandleadership.That’sthewayIseeit,letmeknowwhatyouthink.ArtMuirhead,President,BRUUBoardofDirectors,[email protected],703-266-1949October21,2017


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UULeadershipInstituteonDemandSeminars

ForMoreinformationGOTO:UUINSTITUTE.ORG

o Transform yourself o Deepen your faith o Connect with other UU leaders o Grow your congregation

Through o Online seminars o On-demand resources o Peer learning groups o Local in-person communities of

practice

The UU Institute offers 3 types of Seminars:

• On Demand Seminars can be taken at your convenience on line. The cost is $15.00 per participant. Classes such as: UU History, History of Social Justice Theology in UUism, Intercultural Skills for a Diverse World and more!

• Online Seminars are scheduled each fall and spring semesters. The fall semester is already in progress at this time; look for course openings in January. The online seminars cost $30.00 participant.

• Premium Seminars provide course access to up to five members of the congregation. The seminars are recorded and are designed for use within congregations and staff teams. The cost per seminar is $300.00 for a congregation.

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FALL WORK DAY ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 4th! Our annual auction is in a month. Let’s get it started right by cleaning and painting around the building the Saturday before! The fun will start at 9:30 AM and go until 3:00 PM. If you can only spare a little time, please come anyway. Supervised children welcome. This is also a good event for youth to earn volunteer hours. Lunch and snacks provided. Contact Christine Sunda at [email protected] for more information.

SAVE THE DATE: From Rev. Archene Turner: “Please invite members of your congregations/societies to read and discuss UUs of Color: Stories of Struggle, Courage, Love and Faith as a "common read". I invite you to do this as what Paula Cole Jones described as a "community of communities". It's an engaging book, a collection of individual stories, some of which are bound to move each of us. It's a good starting point for honest conversations about the gap between our UU principles/intentions and the effect of white-centered culture in de-railing those intentions. Building on that common read, we have a wonderful upcoming opportunity to be with Yuri Yamamoto, the editor, and Takiyah Nur Amin, contributing author and member of the Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism collective as they lead a workshop including caucus groups on Saturday, December 2 at River Road in Bethesda MD. It's highly recommended to read the book in advance. I ask that 1 person from each congregation (or group of local congregations) act as a point of contact to determine how many copies of the book you need. Volunteers from Cedar Lane's "Together" ministry team will arrange to deliver the books to you. The cost of a book is $15. Contact me with questions or for more details.” -- Contact: Archene Turner at [email protected]

DENOMINATIONALAFFAIRSANDEVENTSINOURAREA

Save The Date - BRUU Craft Fair!

On December 2nd & 3rd we will have our annual craft fair. What is new this year is it will be on both Saturday & Sunday, but with the option to only do one of the days. For prices and all the other details, contact Christine Sunda at [email protected] or 703-801-3819. If you have a friend that crafts or is a vendor, they are welcome to apply too. It's on a first come basis.

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