January 3:

"Where Shall We Go From Here?"

Rev. Dee Graham will speak. This New Year ritual blends our dreams with letting go of past regrets. Using chalice light, members will be invited to write down what they wish to release. Rev. Dee Graham’s message will focus on recognizing our hopes and dreams, especially for the upcoming year, and marking the beginning of a new season of beginnings and creativity. Music: Choir

January 10:

“Mrs. Yahweh”

Dr. Robert Tucker will speak. . In his sermon, Dr. Tucker will cite Sherlock Holmes, Romeo and Juliet, among others, to reveal how scholars discovered that the Judeo-Christian deity once had a consort! Music: Jami Gee

January 17:

“The Power of Suggestion”

Rev. Bill Grossman will speak. As we move into the new year, many of us have made New Year’s resolutions or sworn not to make any more. These resolutions don’t often make much difference in how we live out our lives because we don’t see them as really important. But we can discover how these suggestions can be a powerful force in our lives. And we can help make more of those suggestions through “Envisioning Prayer.”

Music: Syl Vee Special Collection: Our Daily Bread

January 24:

“Why Black Lives Matter”

Rev. Dee Graham will speak. #BlackLivesMatter is a grassroots movement and a stance in response to the reality that the United States was built on a legacy of slavery, racism and oppression that still operates in new, ever-changing forms. The Rev. Dee Graham will explore why to say “black lives matter” doesn’t mean black lives are more important or that all lives don’t matter. Responding to society’s systematic devaluing of black lives, we will examine what calls us to bear witness in the face of institutional oppression in many winding and intersecting forms.

Music: Choir January 31:

“Creation, Cosmology, Conscience, and Challenge”

Paul Carr will speak. Our awareness of the awesome beauty of creation, the moon and the stars, gave birth to the science of cosmology. A cosmic consciousness must give us a new planetary ethic to meet the challenge of our destruction of our environment.

Fellowship Office Hours: 9 am – 2pm Mon – Fri OFFICE: 941-746-0067

muufoffice@manateeuuf.org www.manateeuuf.org Rev. Dee Graham Office Hours: Tuesday 9 am-Noon or by appt. MINISTER: 941-264-5929

muufminister@manateeuuf.org The UPDATE

Update Content Editor – Lorraine Berry Update Production Editor – Maggie Bayliss

Directory Updates — New Address/Phone Please notify the office of any changes, by phone or email. Thank you.

UPDATE January 2016 Volume 47 Number 1

MUUF'S MISSION STATEMENT: "A friendly beacon for religious freedom, supporting lifelong spiritual growth and

working for social justice with compassion and love."

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January 2016

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1

2

3 10:30 – Speaker Rev. Dee Graham Words for All Ages Music – Choir 12:00 RE Comm Mtg 4:00 Eleonora Lvov Concert

4 7:00 Occupy Bradenton Discussion

5 5:00 Transitions Support Group 6:30 Zen Meditation

6 6:00 Toastmasters

7 12:00 Al-Anon Mtg 6:00 Choir Practice 7:30 Meditation

8 6:00 Share-A-Dish Sponsored by MUUF’s Social Justice Committee

9 1:30 Game Day

10 10:30 - Speaker Dr. Robert Tucker Music – Jami Gee 12:00 Social Justice Comm Mtg

11 2:00 Book Discussion Group 7:00 Occupy Bradenton Discussion

12 10:00 Chalice Circle 3:30 Membership Comm Mtg 5:00 Transitions Support Group 6:30 Zen Meditation

13 6:00 Toastmasters 6:00 Women’s Spirituality Class

14 12:00 Al-Anon Mtg 6:00 Choir Practice 7:30 Meditation

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16

17 10:30 - Speaker Rev. Bill Grossman Music – Syl Vee

18 10:00 Great Decisions 2:00 Book Discussion Group 7:00 Occupy Bradenton Discussion

19 5:00 Transitions Support Group 6:30 Board Mtg 6:30 Zen Meditation

20 6:00 Toastmasters 6:00 Women’s Spirituality Class

21 UPDATE ARTICLES DUE AT NOON 9:00 Our Daily Bread 12:00 Al-Anon Mtg 6:00 Choir Practice 7:30 Meditation

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24 10:30 – Speaker Rev. Dee Graham Music – Choir 12:00 “What is UU to U?” 2:00 Pagan Perspectives Business Meeting 4:00 Pagan Perspectives Open Meeting

25 2:00 Book Discussion Group 7:00 Occupy Bradenton Discussion

26 10:00 Chalice Circle 5:00 Transitions Support Group 6:30 Zen Meditation

27 6:00 Toastmasters 6:00 Women’s Spirituality Class

28 12:00 Al-Anon Mtg 6:00 Choir Practice 7:30 Meditation

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30

31 10:30 - Speaker Paul Carr Music – Liz & Chuck Kercher 4:00 Walt Dunn & Swing Thing - Dixiieland Jazz Concert

Lee Dickson 1/ 1 Robin Marshall 1/23 Dee Porter 1/ 3 Richard LaBrecque 1/23 Chris MacCormack 1/ 4 Sasha Bohn 1/28 Florris Marshall 1/22

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President’s Message January 2016 Martha Pelletier

“Dreams” Welcome to 2016 and Happy New Year.

We can count our blessings and the many changes to come. We expect our membership to continue to grow in members and programs. New faces, new ideas, new hands will help to build our stewardship. Our building renovation team is gathering more bids from area contractors until they are satisfied our needs will be met. Our house has become home to our members. We celebrate, dream and grieve together.

I want to share the following Blessing from the UUA web-site. It graciously speaks of how we journey forward.

A HOUSE FOR OUR DREAMS

Blessing By Dori J. Somers

We, all of us, build houses for our dreams.. The masonry and lumber, glass and tiles, A solid form, wherein we see our hopes, A shelter and protection for our growth. This house shall be a dwelling place For courage, for integrity, for love Engendered, nourished by a family That speaks of "we" and means all humankind. These walls shall represent the privacy And dignity of individuals, The open doors, a welcome to all people, All ages, and all generations. The windows shall keep light of inquiry Illumining from outside and within. May all words spoken here be born of love And energy rekindle in the hearts Of those who dreamed this house-- who plied the tools And paid the price to actualize the dream. May dreaming never cease for those within Who know the world to be a troubled place, But dare to struggle with imperfectness Toward that brighter hope, that better day. Let memories add warmth...a heritage, A quilted patchwork stitched with history Of kindliness, of daring for the good, Of funny moments, jokes and smiles and tears. This is a precious place, as every home That shelters those who love and strive and share. Its blessing is in lives that meet within... In living, learning, caring, sheltered here

Blessings of peace, health and joy to you all,

Martha Pelletier, President

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION January 2016 Lisa Bohn, DRE

Happy 2016! The New Year always feels so open

to possibilities! Whether personal, community-based or global, it seems like a great time to imagine a better way and then work for it. We’ve got some new Religious Education possibilities starting this month (see women’s spirituality class) and who what else? I hope we can continue to connect and nurture each other and reach out our hands just a little farther into our local community. Love is the doctrine of this church and service is our prayer…

And not to forget - a big THANK YOU to all who made another Madrigal a wonderful success! It’s a big undertaking that would not be possible without many hands. The Cosmic Affair was a total BLAST! RE Calendar Jan. 3 Words for All Ages in the service, then gather upstairs for RE activities RE meeting 12:00 p.m. Jan. 10 RE Class Jan. 17 Who was Martin Luther King? Jan. 24 RE Class Jan. 31 Community-building activities on the playground

WOMEN’S SPIRITUALITY CLASS

The Religious Education Program will be offering a 13 week, adult class starting January 13th called “Cakes for the Queen of Heaven,” a woman-honoring adult RE curriculum. This course examines pre-Judeo Christian cultures that may have worshiped the female as divine. The concepts of equality and reverence for the female in a religious setting are eye-opening to many participants. The primary question raised is: How would your life have been different if, when growing up, the divine had been imaged as female? There will be a sign-up sheet in the social room. Contact our DRE, Lisa Bohn, for information. 941-586-0642

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DeeScriptions January 2016 Rev. Dee Graham

“On the Dawn of a New Year” Some choices are easy. A

memorable New Year’s Eve can bring surprises the next day.

For example, after celebrating, the husband of one of my colleagues was in no shape to drive, so he sensibly left his van in the bar’s parking lot and walked home after the 2 a.m. closing. As he was wobbling along, he was stopped by a policewoman.

“What are you doing out here at nearly 3:00 in the morning?” asked the officer.

“I'm on my way to a sermon,” he answered. “And who on earth is going to give a sermon this early

on New Year's Day?' enquired the constable sarcastically. He slurred grimly, “My wife.” Now, in this story, one might assume the husband in

question is white. If he had been a black man walking around in the early morning hours, law enforcement likely wouldn’t have been so tolerant. The more common response would be for the police officer to put the drunk on the ground, handcuff him, then quiz him on what business he had in that neighborhood at 3 am.

For people of color, the deck is stacked against them when it comes to dealing with law enforcement. That’s just a fact. Walking while black is enough reason for police intervention.

This vulnerability came home for me when I became the parent of a mixed race child. Shopping with my white child meant little notice, but shopping in the same store with a black child meant to expect security to be following us around the store.

“Even in the early 20th century, civil rights groups documented cases in which African-Americans died horrible deaths after being turned away from hospitals reserved for whites, or were lynched — which meant being hanged, burned or dismembered — in front of enormous crowds that had gathered to enjoy the sight,” the New York Times wrote in a recent editorial addressing Black Lives Matter.

“From the very beginning, the (civil rights movement led by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King) focused unapologetically on bringing an end to state-sanctioned violence against African-Americans and to acts of racial terror very much like the one that took nine lives at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., in June,” it said.

This month we remember King with the holiday named in his honor. There’s no question about his role in inspiring any number of liberation efforts. But racism still remains one of the biggest stumbling blocks to full equality today.

“The “Black Lives Matter” movement focuses on the fact that black citizens have long been far more likely than whites to die at the hands of the police,” the Times explained. “Demonstrators who chant the phrase are making the same declaration that voting rights and civil rights activists made a half-century ago. They are not asserting that black lives are more precious than white lives. They are underlining an indisputable fact — that the lives of black citizens in this country historically have not mattered, and have been discounted and devalued. People who are unacquainted with this history are understandably uncomfortable with the language of the movement. But politicians who know better and seek to strip this issue of its racial content and context are acting in bad faith. They are trying to cover up an unpleasant truth and asking the country to collude with them.”

Many of our Unitarian Universalist congregations are literally raising the Black Lives Matter above their doorways. Some were met with vandalism, but none have let the banners stay down.

Our denominational president, the Rev. Peter Morales, points out, “While the Black Lives Matter movement is part of a long tradition, it also presents new challenges. This is a decentralized grassroots movement with no single leader and no institutional foundation. There is no Martin Luther King, Jr., issuing a call to Selma. Today we are called to be present, to listen deeply, to follow, to bear witness, to practice humility.”

He asks us to keep in mind: • First, Black Lives Matter is not about saying black

lives matter and that the lives of others—Latinos, LGBTQ people, Native Americans, Muslims, Asians—do not matter. To support the cry for justice and respect that Black Lives Matter represents does not diminish the need to work for climate justice, economic justice, or any other kind of justice. There is, after all, only one kind of justice. Justice is ultimately about recognizing the worth of every single person.

• Second, we must realize that the same spiritual failing that feeds anti-black racism is the same spiritual disease that marginalizes any group or person. We must connect the dots. The horrid impulse behind the killings of African Americans is the same impulse that allows migrants to languish in for-profit detention centers, that does violence to LGBTQ people, that murders Muslims and Jews.

• Finally, and this is most important, we must not allow the call to support Black Lives Matter to create animosity among ourselves. Yes, we will disagree about tactics and, heaven help us, about how we should word our resolutions. Let’s talk respectfully to one another. Let’s listen deeply. Let’s focus on our highest aspirations and our affection for one another. Let’s hold one another tightly and hold our opinions loosely.

As we enter a new year, let us seek to find new ways to love one another and to love the world into deep equality.

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SOCIAL JUSTICE Legislative Actions Florida House Bill 4001 removes the prohibition of carrying guns on campus. We strongly oppose this bill and want to keep guns off campus. Unfortunately this bill has been discussed and acted on in three House committees all of which voted to approve. It is ready to be heard in the House in early 2016. The corresponding Senate Bill 0068 has not come out of any of it's three committees as of press time. Will actions in San Bernardino be what finally changes peoples' minds about guns? We will urge calls to our representatives as actions progress.

Bernita Franzel, Chair, Social Justice Committee

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS Starting off the New Year, our first Special Collection of 2016 will be held on 1/17/16 and will benefit Our

Daily Bread. For years the Fellowship has supported Our Daily Bread financially and with volunteer servers once a month. Our Daily Bread provides healthy and nutritious meals for the homeless.. Carol Bearfield will be the point person. Other suggested recipients for 2016 are: Feb. - CropWalk, March - Coalition of Immokalee Workers, Nov. - UUSC, Dec. - Turning Points. Suggested recipients without specific months assigned are: Prism, an advocacy group for gay teenagers, Hope Family Services, a support group for women suffering spousal abuse, the local chapter of Planned Parenthood, and FELT, a group providing lunches for needy children on days when school is not in session. Another month will be assigned to a mental health organization. That leaves two months for which we have not assigned a recipient. If anyone has suggestions for a local Manatee County charity which could use our help, please see Bill Hayes or Bernita Franzel. All of the organizations have received funds from MUUF previously. Bill Hayes, Social Justice Committee

THE OUR DAILY BREAD MINISTRY

One Sunday when I was service leader, Gary Chanco came up and asked me to announce that we needed volunteers again for Our Daily Bread. Then he went on to say that the last time because we didn’t have enough people they had to pull kitchen help out to the front to help serve and we may have to give up doing it and our third Thursday may have to be taken over by another church. What a shame that would be. This has been a ministry of this Fellowship since long before I became a member. There’s nothing difficult about it; we don’t do any of the food preparation, just serve the food.

I shared the story of the profound experience I had the one time I volunteered. Since I work full time, it’s difficult for me to do but I wanted to do it to see what we did. My son was away at college at the time. A young man that same age, was in the line, when he got to the front, I saw that he was wearing a t-shirt that my son also had. It said; “The Tradition Starts Here”. That was a t-shirt that was made for the undefeated freshman football team at Manatee High School. My son was on that team, so I asked the young man if he was on that team, he said he was. I asked his name and asked him if he remembered my son Beau, He did. I phoned Beau and told him about the young man in the t-shirt and told him his name. Beau said that he was their quarterback. A talented athlete, now eating in a soup kitchen. It struck me that at one point in their lives, they were in the same place and because of circumstances, one was at college and one was eating his meal in a soup kitchen. The song lyric, “There but for fortune go you or I.” rang through my head and my heart.

It would be a shame if we can’t keep this ministry going. You never know, someday we may need help and I hope someone will be there for us. Please consider volunteering to help at Our Daily Bread on our third Thursday. It’s only a few hours a month but it can change a life, maybe yours.

Becky Smith, MUUF Member

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GREAT DECISIONS

Great Decisions will have its organizing meeting on January 18. 2016 (Monday) at 10:00am. We will decide on meeting dates and times and facilitators for each session.

Great Decisions is a discussion group based on a curriculum developed by the Foreign Policy Association. This organization was founded in 1918 at a time when many Americans were urging the country to withdraw from the world as the horrors of WWI became known. But a group of concerned citizens knew that America was at its best when it was engaged in - and indeed leading - the world. They founded the FPA. Today, 97 years later, the country is again facing a lack of unbiased information and civil discourse on global affairs and America’s role in the world. Come join Great Decisions and the civil discourse it provides.

The sessions this year will be: 1. The Middle East 2. The Rise of ISIS 3. The Future of Kurdistan 4. Migration 5. The Koreas - led by Al Usack & Ed Kobee 6. The United Nations 7. Climate Change - led by Paul Carr 8. Cuba and the US

See Bill Hayes for further information. All are welcome.

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

The Book Discussion Group had its organizing meeting on Sunday, Dec. 6. The book chosen was Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. This is a non-fiction account of Stevenson’s experience as an attorney

working on death row cases and what justice, if any, they receive. The discussion will use a study guide developed by the UUA and will involve 3 ninety-minute sessions. The sessions will be

held on Mondays at 2:00pm on 1/11/16, 1/18/16 and 1/25/16. The book should be read prior to the discussion. Bill Hayes has ordered books for those who requested him to do so; others are obtaining them on their own.

After these sessions are completed, the group will decide if it wants to continue with other books with other subjects and with other facilitators.

There is still time to join. See Bill Hayes or MaryLou Thompson if you are interested.

MUUF Library Book Review Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption

by Bryan Stevenson

This book explores ethical, moral and spiritual questions when we look at situations of people on the margins of U.S. mainstream society as they face our criminal justice system. Stevenson's stories are

about those innocent and those wrongly convicted, those guilty and the unfortunate circumstances leading them to crime, juveniles with life sentences, and of the background of those physically or mentally disabled. One story is of an innocent black man framed for murder and sentenced to death. Legal efforts and skill uncover the shoddy practices of the criminal justice system.

It is a powerful book about the potential for mercy to redeem us, and a clarion call to fix our broken system of justice – from one of the most brilliant and influential lawyers of our time. This moving book speaks to justice, mercy, and compassion. It is part of a new UUA book club, a place where all who are interested in spirituality, religion, and social justice can discuss books that relate to these crucial questions.

Bill Hayes and Mary Lou Thompson will lead discussions in January around this book.

This book is already checked out of the MUUF Library.

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM UU CHURCH OF SARASOTA

"Theism, as a way of defining God, is dead." So said Bishop John Shelby Spong before retiring as Episcopal Bishop of Newark in 2000.

Those were the opening words of the first of twelve theses that Bishop Spong drew from his 1998 book, Why Christianity Must Change or Die.

The rest of his first thesis was "God can no longer be understood with credibility as a Being, supernatural in power, dwelling above the sky and

prepared to invade human history periodically to enforce the divine will. So, most theological God-talk today is meaningless unless we find a new way to speak of God."

Curious about his meaning and the reactions? Ask him! Bishop Spong will speak at the Unitarian Church of Sarasota on February 12 and 13. See the UUCS website http://www.uucsarasota.com/spong.html for details, fee, and registration info.

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AUCTION NEWS Save the Date Sunday, Feb. 14

for Lunch and MUUF’s Annual Live Auction! Silent Auction Begins February 7!

Turn in Your Promissory Notes by January 17! Our annual auction is a vital part of our congregation both for meeting our budget and for building community. It gives us a chance to show off or share our talents since most of the items are donated by none other than MUUF members! The most popular events are the dinners and trips that occur throughout the year which provide a great way to spend time together with UU friends or with UU members you’d like to get to know better. Fun for the host...fun for the guests! The Silent Auction will be set up to begin on Sunday, Feb. 7 and finish the following Sunday just before the Live Auction on Sunday, Feb. 14. Look for the promissory notes which will be available on the table in the social room to write down what items or services you would like to offer. If you would like some inspiration on what to give pick up one of the lists available in the social room with many creative ideas from Sarasota UU’s auction. (If you e-mail me I can send it to you as an attachment). There are catalogs from our past auctions as well that you can look at. Be sure to put a date and time for events so that we are able to put a complete schedule together and enable bidders to pre-check their calendars. As in previous years you may register and get your bidding number and catalog a week early (Jan 31) so that you can check on dates and determine which items you want to bid on. There will also be items, gift certificates, artwork, etc. from local businesses and artists to bid on in the Silent Auction and Live Auction. Additionally some items will be placed in the raffle drawing with tickets sold for a mere $1! If you would like to help with the auction, have questions, or have ideas please contact Carol Bartz. cdbartz1@verizon.net 941 792-8732. We’ll be in need of people to help with record keeping, getting business donations, set up, food, clean up, and transportation.

MUUF SOCIAL JUSTICE & OCCUPY BRADENTON JOINT

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM Occupy Bradenton will hold two educational meetings in January co-sponsored by MUUF’s Social Justice Committee.

The first will be held on Monday, January 4th; we will watch “The Rise of ISIS,” a 60 minute Frontline look at the why, how they’ve gained strength, their funding, and their operations. This brings us to the present crisis. Discussion led by Franny McGuire will follow. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the film starts at 7 p.m. This event is FREE and open to the public. The second will be held on Monday, January 18th; we will watch “Howard Zinn; You Can’t be Neutral on a Moving Train,” a 78-minute introduction to his thoughts on war, peace, and dissent which remain influential in these more confusing times. Discussion led by Franny McGuire will follow. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the film starts at 7 p.m. This event is FREE and open to the public. On non-educational meeting nights Occupy

Bradenton Meets at MUUF at 6:45 p.m.

JANUARY SHARE-A-DISH The January Share-a-Dish will be held on Friday, January 8th and will be sponsored by MUUF’s Social Justice Committee. Refreshments will begin at 6pm with dinner to follow at 6:30. Dinner will be followed by an original play, “Sophie’s Place,” put on by the Social Justice Committee’s MUUF actors. The play is about inequality and will be the centerpiece of the night’s Share-A-Dish. Bring a friend or two and a dish to share and come join the fun. The sign-up sheet is located on the table in the social room. We look forward to seeing you there!

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JANUARY GAME DAY

GAME DAY in January will be held on Saturday, January 9th at 1:30 p.m. in the Social Room. We will be getting together to enjoy an afternoon playing games of all kinds. If you have a favorite game that you like to play, please bring it along. Don’t miss this time of fun and fellowship. The sign-up sheet is located on the table in the Social Room. We look forward to seeing you there!

PLAY READING GROUP Calling all people who are interested in skits and play reading. An organizational meeting will be held on Thursday, January 14th at 4:30 p.m. for anyone who is interested. If you have any questions, please contact Lois Stilley 941-745-5189.

UPDATE DEADLINE The deadline for the February Update is Thursday, January 21st at Noon. Anything that you would like published in the January Edition of the Update needs to be into the office prior to the deadline unless other arrangements have been made prior to the deadline. Thank you so much to everyone who provides items for each month’s Update. Your prompt consideration is greatly appreciated. Have a glorious month! Maggie Bayliss, OA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Martha Pelletier Vice President Becky Smith Secretary Peggy Dickson Treasurer Al Guy Asst. Treasurer Bob Yavis Directors Monica DeBarros Chuck Wolfe Ricki Cunninghis Pres. Emeritus Bill Peruzzi Board Meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of each month, 6:30 pm in the Social Room. All members of the Congregation are invited to attend.

Sunday, January 3rd at 4 p.m. “New Year’s Romance on the Piano”

with Eleonora Lvov.

As is the MUUF tradition, international concert pianist,

Eleonora Lvov, will be performing her “New Year’s

Romance on the Piano” concert in the MUUF

meeting room on the first Sunday of the New Year. Come and help MUUF with a donation while

listening to most soulful and inspiring music played by a world class pianist! Light refreshments will be

served. Please come and join us!

Walt Dunn & Swing Thing January 31, 4 PM Great Dixieland Jazz Band.

A full 6 piece Dixieland Band Concert. People who have attended their concerts all say they

had such a great time. All of the musicians are seasoned professionals so it’s an authentic sound.

Dixieland Style Jazz This music harkens back the style of

Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton. “Arguably the happiest of all music is

Dixieland Jazz.” Scott Yanow Dixieland developed in the early 20th Century.

Its four main influences were: Ragtime, Military Brass Bands, the Blues, and Gospel music.

This is the first time they have played here at MUUF but they have been playing to packed houses in the area and are asked back. We’ll be talking about this event for a long time.

January

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Manatee Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 322 15th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205

January Share-Dish FRIDAY, January 8, 2016

Sponsored by MUUF’s Social Justice Committee

6:00PM Gathering/Appetizers 6:30PM Dinner

Dinner will be followed by an original play, “Sophie’s Place.”

Bring your friends and a dish to share! Sign up in Social Room.