UUVC Newsletter July 2017 Page !1

Unitarian Universalist Village Church

403 Barcelona Road Hot Springs Village, AR 71909

501-922-1255 uuvillagechurch403@gmail.com

Suzette & Jim Watson, editors suzettewatson@me.com

July Sundays at UUVC

May Attendance: All Souls webcast, 48 UUVC, 321

Share the Plate: Clarion Call: $1,067.

July Share the Plate: Garland Cty Literacy Council

July 2, Worship, Video Sermon, Rev. Lavahar

July 9, Insight, Dr. Earl Babbie, “How to Make a Difference”

July 16, Worship, Rev. Bud Hearn, “The Matter of Being Reborn, aka Get A Life”

July 23, Insight, Anais Troadec

July 30, Insight, Dr. Dave Welch, “I Know a Way Out of Hell”

JULY 2017 Theme — UU Heritage

Jerry Offermann ‘16

President’s Column Penny Beed

A hearty welcome from your new President!! I have been a UU and a member of this church for 5 years now. I am pleased to say that after many non-churched years, UUVC has become one of the most important parts of my life. I grew up attending a traditional church, but left that church as a young adult and began searching for something that was meaningful to me. I recognized the value that churches provide to their members and their community, and so, after many years, I was delighted to find this active, loving, open and stimulating community when I moved to Hot Springs Village. In addition to the people, I was especially attracted to the 7 principles all UUs share, rather than a creed. The 2 principles that provide the foundation of our values: 1) believing in the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and 2) respect for the interdependent web of all existence, appealed to my basic beliefs.

Each Sunday we come together to be reconnected to life’s ultimate purposes. This coming together involves people who hold a variety of perspectives, including humanism, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, agnosticism, non-theism and many others. This church empowers us to grow spiritually, care for one another and work for social justice and stewardship of the earth. There are lots of committees, projects, classes and events - most of which are dedicated to making the world a better place. To me, it’s an exciting and stimulating place to spend my time!!!

One of the most exciting things to happen this year will be the arrival of Reverend Mark Walz, who will be joining us in August as our part-time minister. Rev. Walz believes in and has committed himself to our long-range goals and brings a vibrant spirituality and a great deal of energy and experience to his position. He is looking forward to becoming a part of our community!!! It should be an interesting and dynamic year at UUVC and I look forward to experiencing it with all of you!!

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"We need not think alike to love alike." Frances David

Social Action a Cornerstone of UUVC Values

Meg Koziar, Chair

The Social Action Committee wishes to thank those who have given their time, talent, and warm hearts to help those in need in our community during the past year. A group of UUVC members and friends volunteers preparing lunches once a month, or more, in the Jackson House Kitchen, and two help out in the JH Thrift Shop. Once a month several assist with an art activity at the Ouachita Children's Center. Every-other month through the school year, a group reads to children at Langston School. Every week a few tech-savvy people refurbish donated computers for our Computers 4 Kids program. Fair Trade coffee and tea are served every Sunday, and twice a month take home items are for sale. We collect items for the Jackson House food pantry, and for Clarion Call, and recycle batteries, ink cartridges, and aluminum cans on a continuing basis. The committee also encourages membership in the worldwide efforts of the UU Service Committee.

We thank all the volunteers, and especially Alana Clegg, who has served as chair of this committee for two years. One more person for who deserves special thanks is Pam Harrison, who makes the colorful posters announcing the month's Share, and coordinates our Jackson House activities, including the summer Blue Jean's project announced in another article.

And there is our monthly Share-the-Plate collections. Whether you have put in a check for hundreds for a charity special for you, or put a couple of small bills in the first-Sunday offering plate, our collective efforts have helped a variety of causes. We aim for 10% of UUVC's total spending to be for charity, and we're right on track. We encourage you to let us know of organizations in need of help. Our tentative list for the coming year is the Literacy Council, GC Humane Society, the Shoe Fund, Pregnancy Prevention, Christmas Baskets, First Step, Bridges out of Poverty, Imagination Library, Jackson House, Kids Summer Food, Habitat, and the Caring Place for Alzheimer's. Your input on this list is welcomed.

If you can devote some of your time, talent and energy to helping with any of these activities, please sign-up. If you have a passion for any aspect of Social Action, please join our committee. Let's keep Social Action a primary aspect of this Beloved Community.

TREASURER’S REPORT Kim Townsan

As you read this, UUVC ends one fiscal year and begins a new one. I want to express my gratitude for the generosity of the UUVC member and friends who through their contributions of time, talent

and treasure make the job of the Treasurer that much easier! At the time of this article, final numbers are not yet available for 2016-2017. I can report, however, that the financial contributions of members and friends have enabled UUVC to complete the 2016-2017 fiscal year with income exceeding expenses. And we enter our church year 2017-2018 with pledge commitments not only meeting, but exceeding our approved budget. On behalf of the Congregation, a special thank you to Kim Harrison for leading this year’s pledge drive and enabling us to exceed our goal! On the time and talent side, I want to thank Meg Koziar for her ongoing assistance and encouragement during my first year as Treasurer. Don’t know how I would have done it without her help. And then there are the other members of the Finance Committee who assist with the weekly collection. A special thanks to Alana Clegg and Tom Henderson, who along with Meg, spend each week after service counting, sorting and recording the contributions for that week. Also thanks to Terry Marx for pinch hitting when someone is out! Thanks to the computer support “team”. Bob McCleskey for helping with the QuickBooks upgrade … and Loren Loberg who has come to my rescue several times. Dane Nielsen, Kat Wheeler and Jerry Fay have also provided help in responding to questions, which seem to crop up! I look forward to the upcoming fiscal year knowing the UUVC community always meets the need!

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What’s HappeningMEMBERSHIP CORNER

Pam Harrison

New Member Spotlight

Malinda Zarate has been a resident of Hot Springs Village for 2 years. She moved from Austin, TX where she lived for the previous 20 yea rs . She i s a bus iness consu l tan t , entrepreneur, speaker, fitness instructor, trainer, coach, minister, mediator, nature-lover, travelbug, mother of two sons, grandmother. A life-long student with unbridled enthusiasm for "heart-based" living, her passion is directed toward inspiring and teaching others, paving the way for more peace of mind, happiness and enjoyment of life.

Martha Graham attended public schools in Arkansas, then Harding College in Searcy, Philander-Smith College in Little Rock, Memphis State University, and obtained an M.S. in Library and Information Science from Peabody College in Nashville, TN. I began my career walking a newspaper route for the old Memphis Press Scimitar. Uphill from there, I worked at UMKC in Kansas City, UAMS in Little Rock, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and finished 26 years with Schering-Plough Pharmaceutical Company in Memphis in their Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Division as Librarian and Information Scientist. Darrell and I retired to Hot Springs Village in 2011. My hobbies were tent camping in the southwest U.S. I enjoy reading books on Nature and Adventure Travel.

UUVC SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE (SAC) BLUE JEAN “BACK TO SCHOOL” PROJECT

Jackson House Thrift Shop is in need of Kids Jeans size 6-12, new or gently used. These jeans are distributed to families who request help in clothing their children for back to school. SAC will have a collection bin just outside the UUVC office. Please consider donating jeans to this meaningful project. Thank You. Contact: Pam Harrison 915-8382 for more information.

Jackson House Volunteers 2016-2017

Pamela Harrison UUVC Jackson House Coordinator

Thank you so much for volunteering your time, service and love to Jackson House Kitchen and Thrift Shop. When you see the following people please thank them: Joe Stuart, Kim Townsan, Betty Lou Helsel, Martha Graham, Malinda Zarate, Dee Offerman, Junell O’Hara, Anne Flueckiger, Gerald Wheeler, Peggy McCoy, Alicia fetters, Laura Nick, Jeanne Sabino, Paula Nix, Marion Sowka, Jerriann Nielsen, Dane Nielsen, Wally Johnson, Martha Thomson, Quay O’Hara.

You are the best! See you in 2017-2018.

"All true meaning is shared meaning.” Forrest Church

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What’s Happening? (cont.)

"Perfection is impossible, but we all have the potential to be more patient, more compassionate, more open-minded."

Stephen Shick

JULY 14 IS THE DATE FOR THE ART WALL’S CHANGEOVER.

Daryl Wedwick

Once again our quarterly opportunity for installing new works of art will present itself at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 14th! There is space for fifteen new pieces but we need at least seven two-dimensional pieces (paintings or stained glass or photographs or quilts, etc.) to span the exhibit space from one end to the other. New contributors are welcome! As usual, each piece must be an original work and signed by the artist. It must be appropriately framed and have a wire hanger; no sawtooth hangers, please. A tag which lists the title, medium, artist’s name and telephone number and the value of the work (for insurance purposes) must be affixed to the back of each work. Please deliver the new two-dimensional works to the Community Hall at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 14th. If that time is not convenient, perhaps the artistic works might be left earlier in the church office if you speak kindly to the office workers! The works of art currently on display may be picked up when the new ones are delivered.

NEW, LOWER COST NOTE CARDS HAVE ARRIVED!

Chloe Bayer

Just as we ran out of our supply of UUVC note cards containing the image of the painting, we received a 12-hours-only offer from the vendor to reorder at a significant price break. As they say, timing is everything! To take advantage of the offer, UUVC ordered a bulk quantity of these cards, so they can be used for church correspondence, in addition to making them available to our members and friends. Ordering in bulk meant the cards were not prepackaged, so office staff have been counting and folding the cards to make packs of ten for your convenience. The best news of all, these new packs of ten are now priced at $5.00 each!

We hope many of you will take advantage of this new lower cost, and use them in correspondence, thereby spreading the image of our beautiful painting far and wide. Look for the file drawer containing the cards the next time you are in church.

Building News TerryLynne Marx

Since we have just finished our old year and are beginning our new year, it is time to thank the people who have contributed their time to keep our grounds in good order. Yes, we do have our grass mowed by an outside service. But, these people have trimmed the bushes and overseen the sprinkler system: Kim Harrison, Wally Johnson, Gerald Wheeler, and Gaynor Burleigh. Just look at all the bushes that we have! Welcome to our new "flower lady," Toby Hamilton, who has agreed to take over from Dee Offerman.

Also, let's not forget Tom Henderson, who puts out the sandwich sign every Sunday to help identify our Calella entrance.

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Birthdays Anniversaries

7/1 Marilyn Matzek 7/8 TerryLynne Marx 7/14 Court Mathey 7/16 John Leisenring 7/17 Jerry Fay 7/17 Wally Johnson 7/22 Barb Austin 7/25 Phil Simpson 7/26 Wanda Bodemann 7/26 Bill Mulcahy 7/29 Jim Watson 7/30 Sue Loberg 7/30 Judy Saldino

7/2 Janet & Larry Enders 7/3 Bette & Merrill Clark 7/4 Judy & John Bowers 7/8 Suzette & Jim Watson 7/22 Sue & Loren Loberg

"We have religion when we look upon people with all their failings, and still find them good.”

Ralph N. Helverson

UUVC Choir with choirmaster, Harvey MacIntyre and accompanist, Anne Bowes singing for Music Sunday, June 18, 2017.

"When I hear the word, I know God is dead. When I hear the song, I know God lives. So if you would make of me a believer, sing to me."

(c-2003 S.L. Finner)

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Social Committee Chloe Bayer, Chair

The Social Committee has met and come up with an exciting variety of suggestions for parties and activities for church year 2017-2018. Our first event will be an August 7th Picnic in the Park, in conjunction with the Hot Springs Community Band’s concert in Whittington Park. UUVC is scheduled to serve as ushers at this concert, and we hope to have a good turnout to represent our church, as we will be mentioned by the band director at the mic as serving for the evening. Bring your lawn chairs and picnic food and have a good time. As parking is limited, car-pooling from UUVC will be arranged. Our next event, as per tradition, will be the Ice Cream Social on Labor Day weekend. Indoor games will be played, possibly a Bolo Tournament. How about Shark Bowling for the kiddies?

We look forward to a really fun and interesting year.

Fourth Friday Film Fest Cloe Bayer

Our movie for July is the incredible true story depicted in the movie “Lion”. Five-year-old Saroo gets lost on a train which takes him thousands of kilometers across India, away from home and family. Saroo must learn to survive alone in Calcutta, before ultimately being adopted by an Australian couple. Twenty-five years later, armed with only a handful of memories, his unwavering determination, and the help of Google Earth, he sets out to find his long lost family and finally returns to his first home. The movie stars Nicole Kidman and David Wenham as the Australian couple and Dev Patel as the adult Saroo. Some critics comments: “Lion is a beautifully told, uplifting story of courage and determination.” “Lion is an astounding, all encompassing story of hope, determination and dumb luck that will leave you both crying like a baby and clapping like a seal once the credits roll.” 92% of audience members liked this movie, and it sounds like we will, too. Hope to see you on July 28th at 7 PM.

Social Action Committee Meg Koziar, Chair

See article on page 2.

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Try the UUVC Website: www.uuvc.org

Resolve Your Conflicts Steve Rittenmeyer

The Conflict Resolution Committee stands ready confidentially to assist members and friends in resolving disputes and misunderstandings with other congregants that affect their lives in church. For more information about the conflict resolution process, please contact:

Steve Rittenmeyer, 915-0575, SD-Rittenmeyer@wiu.edu

or Cloe Bayer, 922-3810,

cloebayer29@sbcglobal.net

“Alternative Facts” Chloe Bayer

“Alternative Facts” became the new buzzword ever since Kellyanne Conway used the phrase during a Meet the Press interview a while back. Why does the public accept such “post-truth” or “alternative facts”, which only serve to support their own beliefs?

Because humans do not naturally seek truth. In fact, as plenty of research shows, they tend to avoid it. People instinctively accept information to which they are exposed, and must work actively to resist believing falsehoods; they tend to think that familiar information is true; and they cherry pick data to support their existing views. Humans have a tendency to steer clear of facts that would force their brains to work harder! In fact, confronting people with the correct facts, may, in fact, backfire and do nothing more than strengthen their beliefs in the “alternative facts”.

A mediator attempting to settle disputes is often confronted with “alternative facts”. Each party sincerely believes that their version of the “truth” is correct, even when confronted with opposing “truths” or “facts”. The more each party argues the “facts” that support their “truths”, the more their attempts will backfire; the other party digs in their heels and resists accepting these “facts”.

This stems from a loss of trust so predominant these days, or simply devaluing information because it comes from an adversarial source. In mediation, if information is conveyed from one side to the other, the second party devalues it simply because it is coming from the adversary.

So, while the news may contain much discussion of “alternative facts” and “post truth”, the same forces also influence everyday disputes and show up in mediations.

... Just something to think about.

(Excerpted from a blog by Phyllis Pollack)

UUA NEWS

Susan Frederick-Gray has been elected president of UUA at the convention.

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Interest Groups (IGs) Ronnie Zuege, IG Coordinator

Game Night Come to play board/card games on the 2nd Saturday of each month (July 8.) Game night will be held @ 5:00 PM. We will eat first and play games afterwards. Bring a dish to share. It’s always a surprise! (Marjorie Lakey)

Grief Support Group The Grief Support group is taking a hiatus over the summer. However, if you would like to have a one-on-one conversation about some subject relating to grief/loss, you may contact Liz

Miller at 922-5457 or Cynthia Saalfield at 915-8577.

Enjoy the company of people with a similar interest by participating in one of the Interest Groups (IG). Stop by the IG table on Sunday mornings to check out the folders that provide information about each group. It’s great to participate in more than one. Also, if you have a special interest that is not currently represented, contact me (501-781-8489 or email: (vzuege@gmail.com) to inquire about starting a new group.

Fourth Friday Film Fest Please watch the bulletin for information on the film selection but please mark July 28, at 7pm on your calendars for the next film night. (Cloe Bayer)

Find us on Facebook: UUVC

Social Justice Book Group

Please contact me if you would like to join the group for the discussion. Meg Koziar (kozimeg@sbcglobal.net.)

Dinners for Eight (or 7, or 6)

Our next “dinners” series will start soon (for months March, April, May and June). Sunday, March 5 is the cut-off date to sign up. Everyone is encouraged to join us in this social UU activity. It is a great way to meet people in the church. Ask those who currently participate and they will tell you how much fun it is.

Food and friendship is the goal of this activity so sign up now at the IG table at church or by calling me. (Liz Miller 922-5457.)

"Inner peace begins the moment you choose not to allow another person or event to control your emotions."

Amber Downing Hedrick