UUSD Newsletter ■ August 2013

August Services

August 4 — Uncivilized Rights: With the guttingof the Civil Rights Act of 1965, Stand Your OwnGround, and the continued misogynists in local,state, and federal congresses, the idea of any kindof civil rights seems archaic, almost non-existent. Jim Crow laws are re-appearing, especiallyin the south. It seems as though the fight for civiljustice and equanimity has merely been at aloll. Rev. Smith speaks to how we might best re-approach the fight, or the struggle.

August 11— Growing Comfortable with the “Gword”: UUSD Member Lin Schmidt will discussher spiritual growth and acceptance sincebecoming a Unitarian Universalist and a memberof this church.

August 18 — The Road Goes on Forever: By nowthe members and friends of this congregation,UUSD, have taken some very real and formal stepsin deciding the future direction, possibly includinga new home of their own. Rev. Smith addresseswhat this means for the continuous journey of thiscongregation and the presence of the home to freereligious pursuits. The road is endless, as are thepossibilities to do great good in our world.

August 25 — When Religions Start to Speakwith One Another: It seems silly to still be havingthis discussion about the barriers betweenreligious faith, the demand by some, that we are anation of one religion or another. Rev. Smithexamines the history and current state of religiouspluralism and its impact on how we do and caninteract with one another.

Sunday Services at 10:00 a.m.Religious Education & Childcare

CONTENTS

Moorings ………………………………………………… 2

President’s Column ………………………………….3

Lifespan Faith Development .………………….. 4Zumba Class

Board Meeting Highlights ……………………….. 5Meetings Listing

Did You Know …………………………………………..6

Committee News ……………………………………… 7-11Featured: Land & Building Facts ……..…….. 7-8

Monthly Highlights …………………………………. 121st Friday FilmFamous UU Class

Contacts ………………………………………………….. 13

Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware (UUSD)33739 Marsh Rd. #2, Lewes DE 19958 302-645-6334 www.uussd.org

2

MOORINGS — Rev. D Michael Smith

I cannot begin to put into words the tremendous outpouring of ministry conductedby this church when I was recently in the hospital. The amount of cards, emails,texts, phone calls, along with the number of visits…well, simply put, thank you.UUSD truly reflects the faith and values, not only of Unitarian Universalism, but alsoof the individual members themselves. You are a kind and caring group of people.Now I really understand when others react to such outpouring during joys andconcerns. You are a gift in and of yourselves…a very healing gift.

At a recent UU 101 class, run by Betty Kirk along with Chuck Herbert, I was invited tospeak about the role of minister. I don’t think I did an adequate job, given my words

above. The role of minister certainly involves the reading and research, and writing, in preparation ofsermons for Sunday worship. But it is more—it is being available 24/7 for members and friends of thecongregation, as each feels the need for a confidential ear, or some counseling. It means taking part in theprivilege of various rites of passage: child dedications, weddings, memorials, and funerals. It is beingpresent at the bedside of the sick or dying. It is talking with the very young and the slightly older, andlistening to their stories. These make the role of minister one of the most rewarding in the world.

Of course, the day-to-day work of meetings and such can also be rewarding, and, yes, sometimeschallenging. But the realization that you are supporting the ideal of free religious practice, as well asguiding and encouraging a community like ours towards bigger and great things, like a home of our own,also, in the end, is powerful.

The minister of any congregation is surprise, surprise, human. Along with successes come some failures,as well, but that is part of fulfillment of the call to ministry — if you choose to learn from both, and I do.I was a bit concerned about how the relationship with the Pioneers (not Pariahs) and some in thecongregation — how land and building was progressing — only to find that by continuing to talk some ofour differences can be smoothed out. These Pioneers, still members and our friends, mean so much to ourfuture. Their good intentions and our acceptance of such reflect all that UUSD means for me.

I continue to look forward to all that we will be doing, especially for the next two years. I am even excitedto find out who my successor will be. This recent, relatively minor bump in the road of health may haveslowed me down for a couple of weeks. The healing is accomplished and my abilities are, if anything, re-energized and refreshed.

Thank you for all that you do.

3

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN — Deanna Duby

If you missed the July 14 service, you missed a real gem. Lin Schmidt and Rick Welk told the stories ofhow they came to UUSD, and their journeys through life to this point were fascinating. Knowingthem as I do, I was not surprised that their stories were filled with humor, poignancy, and intellect.But it was not only their stories that made the service so wonderful. Every element was so right. Themusic from Marcie and the choir was great, the readings were wise and moving, and I even loved thechalice lighting. So I’ve decided to use it as the epigraph for my column this month.

“This flame . . . symbolizes the truth we know and the truth we seek, the community we share and thecommunity we aspire to, the learning that enables us and the mystery that encompasses. Here we speak thelanguages of memory and hope. Here we are welcomed, our journeys embraced and shared.” — Ray Nasemann

These words seem so apt for our UUSD community right now. There is so much on the horizon for us, so manytransitions that we are facing, so much “mystery that encompasses” us. The possibility of a new home, the promiseof new members as we grow, the announced end of Rev. Mike’s ministry two years from now, and the resultingtransition to a new minister.

As our Board of Trustees held a special meeting in July to consider and approve the UUSD long-range plan, wealso saw the very first concept drawings of what will ultimately be a new sanctuary if we move forward at all thedecision points ahead of us. Both the long-range plan and the drawings generated much discussion among boardmembers and the many observers there that evening. We were speaking “the languages of memory and hope.” Wetalked about UUSD in the middle school auditorium, and the fear and excitement that accompanied the move intoour current space. We talked about leaps of faith. We talked about our hopes for our future home, and the manyquestions and answers that will continue to be part of the process as we plan, discuss, raise money, and makedecisions as a congregation. We talked about best-case scenarios, worst-case scenarios, and what assurances folksneed as we make these decisions.

In last month’s column, I suggested that we all try to “enjoy the journey” during this process, and I suppose thatthe message of this column is a similar one. But I was so moved by the words of this chalice lighting because, Iguess, I’m so moved by this community. During the discussion of “worst-case scenarios” at that Board meeting,several people said, in different ways, “Whatever the worst-case scenario is, we’ll handle it, and we won’t lose thiscommunity, we won’t lose who we are, and who we are to each other.” And I truly believe that. I know that we willhave our differences along the way, and we may take different approaches to making our decisions on the importantvotes that lie ahead of us. But we are a part of this community because it feeds us, feeds our soul, or our heart, orour being, in some very significant way. We are a part of this community because it allows us to be who we truly are,and to give something that we need to give.

Please come to the special congregational meeting on August 11 and cast your votes on two important motionsrelated to our future home and the capital campaign. Please be an active and engaged part of this belovedcommunity. Please worship with us, work with us, celebrate and play with us, share with us — and feel embraced!“Here we are welcomed, our journeys embraced and shared.”

4

LIFESPAN FAITH DEVELOPMENT — Peggy Smith

As most of you have heard, on Father’s Day Michael ended up with emergency surgery for a hernia.We, needless-to-say, did not make it to General Assembly in Louisville that week. We did have ourfirst “staycation” which consisted mostly of follow-up doctor visits. Michael is doing great and wasallowed to drive earlier than doctors had predicted. Both of us have attended some importantmeetings and we have both been working from home. Thank you for all the cards, calls, visits,

emails, flowers, and other support you offered. We both feel blessed and touched by all the love expressed!We are ready to kick off our OWL program. All of the materials have been ordered and three teachers are

registered to attend OWL training sessions in August. Barbara Barnette and Rick Welk will be trained to facilitatethe class for 4th - 6th graders. We plan to have a parent orientation in the fall for parents of children in grades 4-6.The Our Whole Lives program is renowned and follows all of the guidelines set by SIECUS as to areas of discussionthat are appropriate for each age level. Parents of 4th - 6th graders, please watch for the announcement and attendthis important meeting so that we will have a successful program. Betty Metzler will be attending training for themiddle and high school programs. For that program to take place we need to invite youth from outside of thechurch to take part with our teens so that we have a large enough group.

We have also been busily organizing the October 13 Celebration which UUSD is hosting, The Celebration is aservice where all of the UU churches on Delmarva have been invited to come to Lewes for a specialMultigenerational service. Older children will take part in the service with parents. The Nursery will be available forchildren under 6 and pre-registration will be required so that we have adequate staffing. If you can help in theNursery that day or in the fall when Sabina will take some time off to have her baby please let me know. We willalso have our Bed and Breakfast fundraiser that weekend. Contact Linda Bennett if you can offer your home.

The schedules of classes and teaching teams for next year are being finalized. I am assuming that past teacherswill teach as well as all parents since I have not heard from anyone about changes in volunteers. We have morechildren so we could use a few more teachers to round out the schedule.

Thanks to our wonderful volunteer teachers July was arts and crafts month with lessons led by Gabriel Zepecki,Joyce Fitch, and Kris Acker. August will have a full schedule with dance, yoga, knitting and paper weaving, and anactor’s studio. I have heard several adults express an interest in all of our summer classes. Here is the schedule soyou won’t miss anything:August 4: Sally Crouch — Children’s ZumbaAugust 11: Holly Piper-Smith and helpers — Yoga for KidsAugust 18: Margaret & Kelly — Learn to KnitAugust 25: Rick & Deanna — Acting Studio

Betty Kirk has successfully begun the New UU Class this summer; Sally Crouch has started a Zumba class onThursdays at 10:30 a.m. It is not too late to join the Zumba class. We have about 9 members and are having so muchfun! Please see Betty or Sally if you are interested in knowing more about either of these great classes.

The Book Group, Lunch Bunch, Men’s Group, Covenant Groups, and the First Friday Films are wonderful ways toget to know people and to enjoy this community of seekers.

Hope you are having a wonderful summer and that you will take part in Sunday services and children’s classes aswell as all of the fun on-going activities of the church.

ZUMBA LITE — Aerobics Class Ongoing every Thursday, 10:30 a.m.

Basic, low-key, classes geared toward new “Zumbistas”. Taught by certified Zumba instructor, SallyCrouch. First class, free; after that, a one-time fee of $5. Contact: Sally at 410-967-1652.

5

BOARD OF TRUSTEES (BOT) MEETINGHIGHLIGHTS

— Margaret Keefe, Secretary

Here are the highlights of the July 2 Meeting. For thefull minutes, go to the Members section of the UUSDwebsite at http://www.uussd.org. All are welcome atthe monthly meetings, held the first Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Approved June minutes & financial report; UUSDfinished 2012-13 in good financial shape.

Welcomed new BOT members Paul Barnette andWalt Smith; held joint orientation meeting withoutgoing and incoming members before regularBOT meeting.

Elected Board officers: Jean Charles/DeannaDuby, Co-Chairs; Pat Schaeffer, Vice President.,Dan Payne, Financial Officer; Margaret Keefe,Secretary.

Approved contract with Bill Clontz, UUAConsultant (to replace Dave Rickard) to continuehelping UUSD with Capital Campaign.

Discussed contract with Virden Center to holdpotential Capital Campaign kickoff event in Oct.;tabled contract approval until Capital Campaign isofficially approved by congregation on August 11;need to avoid potential loss of deposit monies ifCC not approved.

Agreed with members of Membership Welcomingand Membership Growth and RetentionCommittees that they should merge to shareduties; new combined Charge will be drafted &presented to BOT for approval.

Discussed issues surrounding search for newhome, including:

o Concerns by two BOT members that notenough information is currently availableto move ahead with congregational voteson August 11

o Lack of notes available from two previousSpecial meetings on new home makes itdifficult for those who not could notattend to be informed; agreed to takenotes at July 21 meeting

o Importance of revised Long Range Planbeing available to BOT by July 15 forreview & approval July 17; Plan will providepledge & membership projections, lease vs.moving figures, ministerial costs,committee expenses & interest costs onnew home; info will further helpcongregation make responsible decisionabout property purchase & development

o Approval of Special CongregationalMeeting Aug. 11 to vote on 1) authorizinglaunch of Capital Campaign and 2)continuing to develop plans for potentialpurchase of Pioneer property

o Change in proposal of Pioneer propertypurchase to initially include Lot B, withLots A & C (two front parcels) held out forpossible future UUSD purchase, makingproperty more affordable for UUSD

o Approval of 2 contracts for preliminarydesign & site work estimates on Pioneerproperty; contracts to be held untilproposals from other vendors are acquired& one chosen; drawings obtained willprovide more concrete financial info

o Signing Conflict of Interest statements toassure Board carries out its fiduciaryresponsibilities to congregation in newhome negotiations

Learned Kat Huston, Sturges Dodge & RonSchaeffer will conduct survey of comparably-sizedUU churches regarding their committee structureto assist with UUSD’s committee re-assessment.

Heard that Denominational Affairs Committeewill present report on General Assembly.

Heard from guests who had following concerns:o Conflict of Interest discussions by BOT

creates negative atmosphere (them vs. us)and implies BOT is not trusting oraccepting of best intentions of others;

o Many in congregation want less talk andmore action to move forward with newhome process.

MEETINGS LISTING

Meetings are held once a month and open to allmembers. For the Board, contact the BOT Presidentsby the 30th of the month for a copy of the agenda or torequest to be added to the agenda. Regularlyscheduled meetings include:

Board of Trustees (BOT): 1st Tuesday, 7:00 p.m.

Lifespan Faith Development: 1st Sunday, 11:45 a.m.

Membership: 2nd Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.

Music: 2nd Saturday

Social & Environmental Justice: 3rd Wed. 7:00 p.m.

Worship: 1st Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.

6

DID YOU KNOW— Ron Schaeffer

What is Spirituality Anyway?

Recently, one of our members, who teaches Yoga,had a Facebook exchange around the term spiritualityand its use in her Yoga class. This exchange inspiredme to do some research around the history and use ofthe term, so here it is.

Wikipedia (it’s a great place to start) says,“spirituality lacks a definitive definition, althoughsocial scientists define it as, the search for the sacred,where the term sacred is defined as that which is setapart from the ordinary and worthy of veneration.”Digging deeper into the history of the term, you findthat the word spiritual is found in almost all the earlyreligious texts for Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism,Christianity, Islam, and even Taoism. However, theterm Spirituality seems to arise in the 5th century andwas meant to denote “being driven by the Holy Spirit”within the Christian Trinity theology. By the 13th

century the term was almost exclusively associatedwith the Christian clergy in the Western World. Butby the 15th century the term began to be associatedwith mysticism, and took on a decidedly negativeconnotation.

But in the early 19th century Ralph Waldo Emersonwas a pioneer, along with some of the other UnitarianTranscendentalists, in positioning the idea ofspirituality as a distinct field of its own. Heemphasized an intuitive and experiential approach forreligion, breaking from the classical biblical-basedapproach. In the 20th century here in the West, theterm was influenced by Asian traditions, particularlyHinduism, as more westerners traveled to and studiedabout that part of the world. But by the latter half ofthe 20th century the distinction between spiritualityand religion became more pronounced. The advent ofthe New Age movement, and the explosion of“consumer spiritual options”, began to actuallyreplace traditional religion choices for the youngergenerations. It is quite common today to hear peoplesay, “I’m spiritual but not religious”, apparentlymeaning that they have no ties to an organizedreligious theology, but they are “searching for thesacred”.

Today, the term spirituality has become associatedwith things like mental health, managing substanceabuse, marital practices, parenting, and coping withother day-to-day stresses. Some of the standard andpublic spiritual practices include things

like meditation, yoga, mindfulness training, prayer,contemplation of sacred texts, and experiences withnature. The Rev. Mary Hunt, a contemporary feministtheologian associated with the Women’s Alliance forTheology and Ritual, defines spirituality as“attentiveness, focus, and awareness of how ourbehavior and choices affect the people around us”.

And spirituality has steadily moved into UnitarianUniversalist worship and discourse. In EverydaySpiritual Practice, The Rev. Scott Alexander definesspirituality as “our relationship with the Spirit of Life,however we understand it.” He goes on to say that,“our spirituality is our deep, reflective, and expressed

response to the awe, wonder, joy, pain, and grief ofbeing alive.”

Also, UU’s have begun to refer to the work we dofor the congregation and the denomination as“spiritual practices”. Rev. Alexander suggests we“appreciate the value of spiritual practice as a meansof deepening our faith and integrating our beliefs andvalues with everyday life.”

Spirituality is “our relationship withthe Spirit of Life, however we understand it.”

7

COMMITTEE NEWS

LAND AND BUILDING FACTS, PART 15— Allan Cairncross and Jean Charles, co-chairs

Major steps that occurred this past month are:

The Board approved a contract to use the Virden Center on October 26 for a kick-off dinner for a CapitalCampaign subject to approval by the congregation August 11.

Two contracts for design work by Mike Molyneux were approved by the Board.

Concept Design #1 is available for review

The Long Range Plan has been approved by the Board

A special congregational meeting has been approved by the Board for August 11 to vote on:o Pursuing the purchase of the Pioneers property for our future homeo Launching a Capital Campaign October 26 to raise $510,000 for our future home.

We are making progress! With the Board approval of the updated Long Range Plan, we are ok to go ahead with thevotes on August 11 to pursue the purchasing of the Pioneers property for our future home and to authorize thelaunching of our first capital campaign.

At the July 21 Town Meeting, the Long Range Planning Committee will have presented their update of the plan.Using conservative assumptions, the pursuit of the Pioneers property and adding a 3,000 square foot sanctuary forour future home for occupancy on January 20, 2015 when our lease with Toddy runs out comes out to be ca. costneutral over 5 years whereas staying at Toddy’s will cost us a lot!

As we refined our cost estimates with input from the Facilities Committee, the operating costs for our futurehome have increased to $23,200 annually. This is $15,500 more than if we stay at Toddy’s or an 8.6% increase in theoperating budget. All other things being equal, this means that for the 8.6% increase we get:

Double our sanctuary and RE/office space

An attractive building on a beautiful site

A great location on Rt. 9

And plenty of room for expansion.

Mike Molyneux has produced, on short notice, version 1 of his concept plan for adding a 3,000 square foot sanctuaryonto the Pioneers building. In spite of obvious changes needed, it is very inspirational. It is nice to have aconcrete visual to work from. (see photos on next page)

Three builders continue to be under consideration for adding a 3,000 square foot sanctuary, bathrooms and othermodifications to the Pioneers building:

Regional Builders Inc. (RBI), a local builder of steel frame buildings, offers a preliminary estimate of $356,000 fora 3,000 sq, ft. sanctuary addition.

Morton Builders, a national steel frame builder, offers a preliminary estimate of $282,314 for the addition.

Residential Construction Services, for a site built structure, offers a preliminary estimate of $540,000 for thesanctuary and site work.

A selection process is underway. Other candidates are not ruled out yet.Traffic and site engineering experts are being sought to help define our future site and offer preliminary cost

estimates.Again, with a favorable vote on August 11, the Capital Campaign Committee will launch a CC on October 26 with a

gala at the Virden Center. The goal is to raise $510,000. Leaders are welcome and many new positions need to befilled.

This is an opportunity of a lifetime! It is more than a building….we are fulfilling our mission.

8

Entrance View of Pioneer’s Property – Our Future Home

Mike Molyneux Design Concept Plan (July 2013)

9

DENOMINATIONAL AFFAIRS— Pat and Ron Schaeffer

General Assembly 2013 – Louisville, KY

On the UUSD website home page (www.uussd.org),you will find a great report on the General Assembly(GA) held in June. The theme was From Promise toCommitment focusing on gathering to examine andrenew our covenant to our faith, one another, ourcongregations, and the larger world.

There were 3,426 attendees from 611 congregationsthat participated including 232 amazing youth.

Peter Morales was reelected for a second term asUUA President. Jim Key was elected as the newModerator in a highly contested election.

UUSD attendees and delegates were Pat Schaeffer,Betty Kirk, and Ron Schaeffer pictured (left to right)below.

Upcoming General Assemblies

June 25-29, 2014: Providence, RI Love Reaches OutJune 2015: Portland, OR

For more info, go to http://www.uua.org/ga/.

COMMUNICATION— Kathy Idziak

Five Reasons to Visit Our Website

1. Because we have one: Learn about one of ourmain communication sources.

2. Information Source in One Place: The HomePage has easy access to UUSD information — justclick on any of the items on it. This includes“Sermons “ for a list of the upcoming ones and thearchive of the past ones; “Calendar” to view it bymonth; click on “Follow us on Facebook” to go toour Facebook page; make a purchase of any kindvia the Amazon link to help support UUSD; andmuch more.

3. Latest News: The News Section on the HomePage gives you the latest news with just a click onthe titles such as the August Yard Sale, OctoberDelmarva Celebration and the B&B heldconcurrently.

4. Find out about our Future Home: ClickOn “Future Home Update and Long Range Plan”in the News section of the Home Page. Thisinformation is “protected”, available only tomembers and friends. You will need to input thegeneric password when prompted.

5. “Library” of Information: In the Members Menuat the top of the Home Page, Members & Friendshave the benefit of a “reference library” containinga great deal of information all listed in sub-menusonce you click on the Members Menu. All theitems are “protected” that is, available only tomembers and friends requiring the genericpassword be keyed in for access. Board Minutes,UUSD Bi-laws, Committee Charges, the latestDirectory are just some of the items you will find.Contact me if you need the password.

Click here to go to our UUSD Website:http://uussd.org.

If you want to submit something for our Website,just send it to me, Kathy Idziak (just click on myname).

We are planning on redesigning our website tomake it easier to use and access information.

10

UUSD YARD SALE —SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE is planning an all-church yard sale on Saturday, August 31 at the church.So save your second hand items in good condition forthe yard sale. We will also be selling grilled hot dogs,chips, and beverages and 50/50 Raffle tickets to giveour event a "community fair" feel.

You can bring your yard sale items to thechurch on Sunday, August 25. Make sure all itemsare clean and marked with a suggested price. Donateditems will not be returned if unsold.

The Fundraising Committee will have a briefplanning meeting after church on Sunday, August 25.Any interested parties are more than welcome. If youhave clothes racks or folding tables that we canborrow, or if you would like to volunteer to helporganize and display the donated items, help with thesale, or help with the food concessions, please emailBarbara Barnette at call her at 443-944-7379.

Welcome New MembersKathy Heacock and Mattie Laschenski

MEMBERSHIP

Please welcome two new members who signedthe book on June 30, 2013.

Kathleen (Kathy) Blackburn HeacockKathy is a former 4th generation Episcopalian from

Norristown, PA. Following graduation fromPerkiomen Valley H.S., she attended MontgomeryCounty Community college intent on a degree inaccounting. She got married at 20 and now has twogrown sons with masters’ degrees, who are married,and have children.

In the meantime, while they were in college, Kathywent back to school and received her BSN and MSNfrom Wilmington College (now WilmingtonUniversity). She retired last April after working for 22years at Beebe Medical Center as a nurse mostly incardiac care, home health, and community healthcare. She is currently working toward her Ed. D. fromDelaware State University and teaches full-time atDelaware Tech in Georgetown. She lives in Miltonwith partner, Matti, and cat, Silver Belle. She andMatti will be going to Scotland and Ireland shortly.Kathy enjoys reading, gardening, travel, zumba,hiking, and kayaking. She feels the time was right,spiritually speaking, to become a member of UUSD.

Mathilda (Matti) LaschenskiMatti was born and bred in Philadelphia, PA to

Polish Roman Catholic parents. The oldest child ofthree she graduated from Frankford High School,received a B.S. from Philadelphia Museum School ofArt, and M.Ed. from Temple University Tyler Schoolof Art, and a M.Ed. and Ed. D. from ColumbiaUniversity.

She was an art teacher in the Philadelphia PublicSchool System for 38 years and co-founded one ofPhiladelphia’s first experimental off-site alternativehigh schools that received international recognition.She has been a ceramist for 30 years and has exhibitedin the U.S. and internationally. She relocated toMilton, DE in 2002 where she lives with her partner,Kathleen, and cat, Silver. Matti enjoys photography,art, gardening, listening to music, and developing herspirituality.

11

THIRD ANNUAL DELMARVA CELEBRATIONThe Feeling of Community Will Be Felt by All!

You Won’t Want to Miss this Eventon Sunday, October 13!

Two years ago, an annual tradition began involvingeight Unitarian Universalist congregations on theDelmarva Peninsula. Those eight congregations are:UU of Central Delaware, UU Fellowship of Newark,UU of the Chester River, First Unitarian-Wilmington,UU Society of Mill Creek, UU Fellowship at Easton,UU Fellowship at Salisbury, and our very own UUSD.

The tradition consists of a unified Sunday Serviceamongst the eight congregations held on ColumbusWeekend in October each year. Each of thecongregations is involved in different ways to ensurethat the Service is meaningful to each guest, adult andchild. Music is a very important part of the Serviceand with each congregation’s choir participating,joyful and beautiful sounds of unison are createdwhen also the congregational members sing along. Adelicious luncheon concludes the event and also givesattendees the opportunity of meeting and sharingwith other attendees about their congregations,programs, and events.

On October 13, 2013, UUSD is very pleased to bethe Host of the Third Annual Delmarva UnitarianUniversalist Celebration. The event will be held at theCape Henlopen High School, beginning at 10:30 am.For the first time at this event, a multi-generationalService will be conducted and the story of “Babble” byErika Hewitt from her book, Story, Song, and Spiritwill be presented. The story of “Babble” is looselybased on the story of the Tower of Babel, told in theBook of Genesis and is a story that tells us all why thewarm spirit of community is very important toeveryone. Marcie Schiff is the Musical Director thisyear and is planning music to promote the wonderfulfeeling of community.

The Service will be interpreted for the Deaf inAmerican Sign Language by Carol Stevens, a qualifiedASL interpreter. A nursery will be available forchildren under 6 years of age. A Registration Form is

required and it may be obtained from eachcongregation's RE Director or by contacting Peggy

Smith by email or at 302-362-2771. Lunch willcomplete the Event with tasty submarine sandwichesprovided in part by Casapulla’s in Rehoboth.

Pam Smith is the Chair of this Event and with thehelp of many others, it will be the success it is hopedto be. If you want to help in this Event, please emailPam at patchesmom1and2@comcast.net or call her at302-424-4015. She will be very appreciative to hearfrom you, offering your help, or if you just want to asksome questions about the Event.

UUSD is organizing a Bed & Breakfast fundraiserfor our Capital Campaign during this same weekend.

Visit the UUSD website at www.uussd.org forinformation about the Celebration Event and the B&BFundraiser.

2ND BED & BREAKFAST AT THE BEACH:October 11-15

As a fundraiser for the capitalcampaign, UUSD is hosting itssecond weekend bed andbreakfast event in conjunction with the 3rdAnnual Delmarva Celebration of UnitarianUniversalist being hosted by UUSD this year.

Volunteer to host guests and tell your UU friends.Guests arrive, at the earliest, on Friday, October 11and leave by Tuesday, October 15 at the latest(entirely up to you, but that Monday is Columbusday). You’d be responsible for making breakfastson Saturday, Sunday and Monday. You can restrictchildren, smoking and alcohol. Guest pets will notbe welcome.

Guests will be paying $250 per room for threenights, all of which would go to the UUSD CapitalCampaign. For more or fewer nights, the rate is$100 per room per night. The hosts’ actual costwould be for the three breakfasts and whateverother costs they might want to incur, e.g. pickupfrom the ferry, driving guests, providing drinks atother times of the day.

A flier and the guest registration form are on theUUSD website.

Contact: Linda Cangin Bennett by email or at 302-644-1116. Linda will be in charge of all payments.

12

AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS

August 2, FridayFilm & Discussion: BIG MIRACLE(see write-up)Potluck at 6:30 pm. followed by film at 7:00 p.m.Contact: E. Anne Riley, 302-436-2211

August 10, Saturday, 8:00 a.m.Men’s GroupOpen to all male members & friendsContacts: Ron Schaeffer or Paul Barnette

August 10, Saturday, 10-11:30 a.m.Famous UU Class — Luisa May AlcottContact: Betty, 302-645-9061

August 11, Sunday, 11:45 a.m.Special Meeting on Future HomeVote to pursue purchasing Pioneers parcel Band to launch a Capital Campaign.

August 26, Monday, 7:00 p.m.Book Group: Defending Jacob by William Landay.Facilitator: Kathy IdziakTakes place in a small New England town where theson of the assistant district attorney is charged withthe murder of a fellow student.Contact: Bobbi Dunham, 302-644-2207

August 31, SaturdayChurch Yard Sale at UUSD(see article on p. 10)Contact: Barbara Barnette

Lunch Bunch will not meet in August.

First Friday Film, August 2 — BIG MIRACLE

Three California gray whales,trapped in a hole in the ice ofthe Arctic Circle, are discovered bytelevision news reporter AdamCarlson (John Krasinski). Theirplight is publicized after he does afeature on them, which he hopesmight be his opportunity to moveup to a larger TV market. His newsstory draws international attention

and sets into motion a massive effort to free the whalesfrom the ice.

Bring a dish to share for the potluck at 6:30 p.m. orjoin us for the film at 7:00 p.m. No charge. Everyone iswelcome.

Contact: E. Anne Riley at 302-436-2211

Famous UU ClassSaturday, August 10, 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Louisa May Alcott, author of LittleWomen, will be discussed.

The Famous UUs class meetsevery two months on the secondSaturday of the month and coverssix UUs a year. This year focuseson the 1800s.

Contact Betty at 302-645-9061.

.

UUSD VisionCreating a diverse spiritual world community that celebrates and fosters the search for meaning, connection, andacceptance.

UUSD MissionUUSD is a welcoming congregation proudly providing a liberal spiritual home for people of free faith throughworship, education, community, outreach, and social and environmental justice.

13

33739 Mars

Staff & Officers

MinisterRev. D. Michael Smith302-362-2769; Office: 302-645-6334uumin19958@verizon.net ormichael.smith14@comcast.net

Director of Lifespan Faith DevelopmentPeggy Smith302-362-2771, Peggy Smith

Music DirectorMarcie Schiff

Youth AdvisorEric Standifer

Nursery TeacherSabina Beaver-Kepner

Board of TrusteesJean Charles, Co-President717-413-5648, Jean Charles

Deanna Duby, Co-President302-684-3589, Deanna Duby

Pat Schaeffer, Vice President/Church CouncilChairDan Payne, Financial OfficerMargaret Keefe, SecretaryPaul BarnetteWalt Smith

AccountantRon Schaeffer

Send email and address changes to:Ron Schaeffer at Ron SchaefferJean Charles at Jean Charles

To email a designated person or open a website in theBeacon, move your cursor over the underlined name, asmall hand comes up and simply click on the name, tobring up the email or site.

Committee Chairs

Activities: Paul BarnetteAwards: VacantCapital Campaign: Gary Colangelo &Lee SummervilleCloud Society: Dan PayneCommittee On Ministry: VacantCommunications: Kathy IdziakDenominational Affairs: Ron & Pat SchaefferFacilities: Tom EvansFinance: Ron SchaefferFundraising: Barbara BarnetteLand and Building: Allan Cairncross &Jean CharlesLeadership Development: Kat HustonLifespan Faith Development: Chuck HerbertLong Range Planning: Dara SchumaierMembership Growth & Retention: Betty KirkMembership Welcoming: Bobbi Dunham &Lori ReadingMusic: Dianne Conine & Margaret KeefeTransylvania Partner Church: VacantPastoral Care: Rev. Smith & Dianne ConinePersonnel: Linda MarsdenSocial and Environmental Justice: Kris Acker& Liz CarlisleStewardship: Jean CharlesThreshold Program: Gary Colangelo &Betty KirkWorship: Jean Charles & Lin Schmidt

UUSD WEBSITE www.uussd.orgWebmaster: Alleane TaylorWebsite Content: Kathy Idziak

FACEBOOKAdministrators:

Peggy Smith, Lead & Kathy Idziak

NEWSLETTEREditor at Large: Kathy IdziakCopy Editors: Sue Brown; Betty Metzler; LinSchmidt; Pam Smith; Ceil Toth

Newsletter Articles due the 20th of each month toKathy Idziak

Publicity requests to Kathy Idziak.

Order of Service notices by Wednesday to Jean Charles.

Weekly Community Updates by Thurs. to Jean Charles.

Website Calendar Updates to Jean Charles.