Northeast Breeze
Monthly Newsletter
of the Northeast Cluster
Florida District, UUA
November 2013: Vol.6, No.5
Orlando’s 1U plays host to the Northeast Cluster Fall Gathering. - On
Saturday, November 2, members of the 17 NE Cluster’s congregations will
meet from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in
Orlando.
This year, 2013, marks the 50-year anniversary of the Unitarian Universalist
Association's first statement on reproductive choice. Reproductive justice is
the UUA's Congregational Study/Action Issue (CSAI) for 2012-2016. The
Northeast Cluster joins the nationwide celebration of our past and recommitment to a future of reproductive justice for all.
During the morning session, two aspects of Reproductive Justice will be pre- Margaret McLaren, Ph.D.
sented by Dr. Margaret McLaren, of the Rollins College Philosophy Department, who will discuss the need to address power imbalances in relationships
when reproductive justice is sought in communities, and (2) Dr. Terri Susan
Fine, of the Political Science Department at the University of Central Florida,
who will talk about women and public policy, women’s voter turnout, and
women in politics, using the lens of reproductive justice.
Some history reminders
Reproductive justice is a term originally coined in the United States by organizations that promote the rights of Native women and women of color. It is a
concept that links reproductive rights with social justice. The reproductive
justice movement arose in the late 1980s as an attempt by these organizations Terri Susan Fine, Ph.D.
to expand the rhetoric of reproductive rights that focused primarily on choice
within the abortion debate and was seen to restrict the dialogue to those groups of women they felt
could make such a choice in the first place. In addition to advocating, as do traditional reproductive
rights platforms, for the access of women to birth
control, reproductive justice provides a framework
that focuses additional attention on the social, political
and economic inequalities among different communities
that contribute to infringements of reproductive justice.
Following lunch and a SisterSong Preview [SisterSong
is a reproductive justice collective for women of color],
the afternoon business meeting will include a financial
report, and a discussion of the reorganization of clusters and the role of the Florida District and Southern
Region. Florida District Board member Al Tweedy will
be coming from Gainesville to assist.
Cost for program and lunch will be $10 for members
of Northeast Cluster congregations which have paid
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2012-13 dues (Community UU Church, New Smyrna Beach; First Unitarian in Orlando; UU Fellowship
of Gainesville); $15.00 for all others. Students are invited for the morning program only – no cost, but
they are asked to call so there is an accurate count for seating.
Registration closed October 31. If you’re planning to come and haven’t yet registered, call cluster
coordinator Martha Hartgering at 352-242-2437 so seating and food can be arranged appropriately.
(The flyer for the November 2 meeting is attached.)
- Information from Wikipedia, Martha Hartgering and the speakers
Friendship Fellowship at Pineda welcomes Reverend Beth Miller,
their new part-time – October through June – minister. Since April, she’s
been in the pulpit twice a month, offers faith development programs for
adults, works with the Congregational Leadership Committee and other
committees, provides rites of passage and pastoral care in times of life
crises, and wherever else she’s needed.
Rev. Beth Miller
Last year, after 22 years in parish and institutional ministry, Rev. Miller
thought she was retiring to become a “snowbird” with her life partner, Dave
Hillis. They live nine months a year in Sebastian, about an hour away from
the Fellowship, and spend summers with their grandchildren in MA.
Luckily, Friendship Fellowship discovered that the congregation’s needs
and Beth’s gifts in ministry were compatible and that we could all work with
her “snowbird” lifestyle. She has served the congregation since April 2013
and Friendship Fellowship looks forward to a long and productive tenure
with this lively and committed minister.
- Nancy Schacklette
November 9 Free Inspirational Evening of Song and Story
to Save the Lagoon - Saving the Indian River Lagoon is a
major issue in both Brevard and Indian River Counties, and
on Saturday, November 9, at 7 p.m., two major participants in
the fight will entertain with songs and stories at the Unitarian
Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach. The event – “Healing
Our World and Ourselves” – is free, no tickets or reservations
required, donations gratefully accepted. (Flyer attached)
The event is sponsored by Unitarian Universalist Justice Florida and the UU Church of Brevard, and hosted by UUFVB.
Shyla Nelson, internationally acclaimed
speaker, classical singer, voice trainer,
author, environmental advocate and
founder of “One Earth. One Voice.” Shyla Nelson takes her message to Africa.
will provide the music. Sister Pat
Siemen, Professor at Barry University Law School, and Director of the Center
for Earth Jurisprudence – working to save Florida's Springs and all Earth's
treasures by giving the Earth a voice – will engage with stories.
Sister Patricia Siemen
This two-hour event is prelude to the February symposium focused on how
climate disruption is related to our legal system, food system, water system,
rights system, faith practices and our denial system. The two-day symposium,
with 16 inspiring speakers, will be held at UUFVB on February 21 and 22.
- Information from Helen Wilson; photos from the internet
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Over the last few months, some members of Unitarian Universalist Church of Jacksonville - have
been featured in the local news. They are:
Jacob “Jac” Shacter is a youth philanthropist. For the last 5 years, since
age 12, Jac has annually given $2500 from his family's foundation to
MIMA Uganda, a Jacksonville Beach based nonprofit that funds water
projects in Uganda. MIMA is derived from the Spanish word "mimar"
which means “to care for.” Jac's donations have financed 10 rainwater
collection tanks, and last summer Jac went to Uganda with MIMA for a 10day trip. “I'm excited, a little scared,” he said. Each of the 10 tanks are
labeled “Jacob's Well” and are well known in their community. So when
Shacter arrives he will be greeted as a celebrity. Jac chose MIMA
Uganda to give to after hearing a radio report that children in some
African countries have to walk miles to get water, and dirty water at that.
Jac Schacter and his mother
“Getting fresh water to people should be easy,” he said. Jac is the son of
Melody
UUCJ members David and Melody Shacter, and will be heading off to
Jacksonville University in the fall. (Full story on Jacksonville.com)
Brian Lapinski is a green growing machine! Brian was recently
featured in a Jacksonville Business Journal article on the
problems organic small farmers have in getting officially
certified. Brian, his wife Kristin, and their daughters Olivia and
Abigail own Down to Earth Farm on Jacksonville's Westside.
The farm is community-supported. People buy into the 28-30
week harvest season, and each week they receive a bag of
seven to ten produce items. The entire season costs $650.
Brian says they are 100% organic, but not USDA certified
“Organic.” They can do this since they only sell directly to
Brian Lapinski
customers, not to retailers. Lapinski said a lot of farmers do this
because the USDA's certification process can be time-consuming and expensive. (From the September 13-19 Jacksonville Business Journal)
Helene Kamps-Stewart is a champion, and in September she was recognized
as such at a special dinner where she received the prestigious Library Champion
Award given by the Northeast Florida Library Information Network (NEFLIN).
The Library Champion Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional support for a NEFLIN library. Kamps-Stewart, who serves
as president of the Friends of the Murray Hill Library (MHL), was thrilled to
win the award. “It feels great to be recognized on behalf of all our Murray Hill
supporters. I know the award is for the entire group’s efforts to prioiitize
libraries for our city.” In addition to her considerable volunteer work for MHL
that she relies on to homeschool her son, Kamps-Stewart has been involved
for the past four years in advocacy efforts to restore funding for all Jacksonville libraries, including a straw ballot initiative for an independent tax
district for local libraries. (From the October Resident Community News) Helene Kamps-Stewart
Looking for a great and provocative way to educate your members and youth on the big issues facing
our nation? Take a look at FUTURESTATES. FUTURESTATES is a series of independent minifeatures showing visions of what America may be like in the decades to come. Now in its fourth
season, each episode comes with an educator's guide that has discussion starters, activities and
additional reading and links. Watch all seven riveting episodes of FUTURESTATES Season 4, as the
best independent filmmakers in public television take on the most compelling issues of the not-toodistant-future – the brain, healthcare, energy, resource distribution, gender, immigration and more.
Go to FUTURESTATES.tv for more info and to watch the episodes.
- Report by Greg Hines
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UUs working together for social justice - Join the UUJF Action Network here:
http://www.uujusticefl.org/action-network/sign-up.
Two important actions this month:
1) November 30th deadline! Help reach the goal of 683,149 valid signed
petitions for Florida's Water and Land Legacy Campaign. Over
600,000 have been gathered so far statewide. Have you signed
the petition yet? Can you help gather petitions at events in your
area? Can you write a check to hire paid petition gatherers to bring
FWLL over the top.
Download a petition here: www.floridawaterlandlegacy.org.
Sign up to help gather petitions at festivals and other events in your area here:
http://floridawaterlandlegacy.org/pages/138/sign-up-to-gather-signatures-at-a-store-or-event-this-weekend/.
Make a secure online donation here: https://secure.blueutopia.com/floridawaterlandlegacy/contribute/.
Every bit helps.
2) Please join UUs nationwide under the direction of
the Standing on the Side of Love Campaign in a last
major push for Comprehensive Immigration Reform this
year. “Tell Speaker of the House Boehner: We Need
a Vote for Compassionate, Comprehensive Immigration
Reform! The time is now for us to put some pressure
on Speaker Boehner to stand on the side of love with
immigrant families!” Add your voice here:
http://org.salsalabs.com/o/1272/p/dia/action3/common/
public/?action_KEY=14473.
Every voice helps.
Sign up for our educational efforts here: http://www.uujusticefl.org/contact, and save the dates for these
special events:
1) Special kickoff event – on November 9, 2013, 7-9 p.m., at the UU Fellowship of Vero Beach, for the
2014 Healing Our World Conference. Come hear songs by Shyla Nelson http://www.oneearthonevoice.org/ and stories by Sister Pat Siemen http://earthjuris.org/.
2) Healing Our World and Ourselves: February 21-22, 2014, Vero Beach: Hosted by the UU
Fellowship of Vero Beach and co-sponsored by the UU Church of Brevard and Unitarian Universalist
Justice Florida. The conference is designed so that you can come to any part of it. All day for the two
days or Friday lunch time through Saturday or, if you can only make Saturday, that is OK, too. We,
of course, would like to have you come to all the sessions.
See www.healingourworldandourselves.org for details and registration form. Financial support for the
first two rooms reserved by each UU congregation in Florida.
3) UU Justice Florida Legislative Day, March 24-25, 2014 - A great experience for UUs of all ages at
our State Capitol in Tallahassee. Financial incentive provided. See www.uujusticefl.org.
- Kindra Muntz, [email protected], 941-497-1764
This ministry is made possible in part by a generous grant from the Fund for Unitarian Universalist
Social Responsibility.
“The world does not need tourists who ride by in a bus clucking their tongues. The world as it is needs
those who will love it enough to change it, with what they have, where they are.”
- Robert Fulghum
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(Left to right) Andrea Coburn, Judy
Kemp, Bob Kemp, Rosemarie Kitson,
Jane Diggett
Bride Adaly and her young attendants are
welcomed to the wedding.
Children make a wonderful
wedding.
Members of the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian
Universalist Fellowship of Marion County - had the pleasure
of attending the wedding of our friends Adaly and Dario. Adaly
and Dario are part of a local Latino immigrant community with
which we partner for fellowship and mutual support.
- Photos by Nelson Hay
(Left to right) Jim Mullen, UUFMC Minister Rev. Janet Onnie,
UUFMC President Margaret Wineman, Dario the Groom
UUFMC drum circle and campfire - I loved Girl Scout camp.
We never had much money, so when Mom and Dad told me I
could go I was ecstatic. The camp was out toward Orient Point
on the northern shore of Long Island, across the sound from Connecticut. It's there that I remember
first eating s'mores...those way-too-sweet taste treats that are made by grilling a marshmallow and
sandwiching it, with a large layer of chocolate, between two graham crackers. It all melts together
creating the most magnificent combination of sweetness and gooiness. And they always taste best
when prepared over a wood fire under the stars with about 30 to 40 other Girl Scouts singing campfire
songs!
I was reminded of this experience the night
of Saturday, September 28, at the first
UUFMC Drum Circle. Nelson Hay orchestrated the event including digging the fire pit
according to fire code during some of the
hottest dog days of August in the UUFMC
goat pasture! (Thank you, Nelson!)
About 30 people, including UUFMCers and
others from the community, gathered with
American Indian and Mid-Eastern drums,
tambourines, claves, guira, and even pots,
pans, Tupperware containers and spoons, to
make music together around a blazing fire
under the night sky.
For me there was a feeling of oneness as
the music ebbed and flowed and drifted into
All types of instruments
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the darkness. I was amazed that these
rhythms came from such a diverse group
of people, with remarkably different musical talents and instruments, and some, like
myself, with little musical ability. We simply
listened closely to one another, connected,
and remarkable things happened!
UUFMC campfire and drum circle
The drum circle grounded me in the
present with UUFMC friends who I hold
dear and a community I have grown to
appreciate. I've come to anticipate the
smiles, hugs, and the “how-are-you’s”
that greeted me when I walked to the
goat field. But it was the s'mores that
took me back to my younger days at Girl
Scout camp. The Griffiths and the Coburns
made sure that the basic ingredients for
s'mores were plentiful. They even provided lessons in the art of grilling marshmallows, although I
don't think I lost my touch. I wasn't surprised when Ted Burkett
told me that the ones he had purchased at the supermarket
were no match for the real thing.
The real thing is always better – whether it's a remarkable
experience under the evening sky with friends, a taste treat
that overflows with delicious memories, or music and rhythms
that connect our souls.
- Story by Margaret Wineman,
President, UUFMC Board of Trustees;
photos by Nelson Hay
Wendy Griffith, the UUFMC Queen of S'mores
Mike Donato tries his hand at Didgeridoo.
“Gratitude is the memory of the heart.” - Jean Massieu (1772-1846), pioneering Deaf educator, France
Page 6 of 12
Bud’s Buzz - November 2013 - We've been thinking a lot about how hard it
can be to make decisions or solve problems as a group. A personal decision
to order pizza in a restaurant is not much of a challenge, if we always order the
same kind with the same toppings. But what happens if the last time we were
not happy with that routine order and we want to experiment. We are
immediately dealing with this style over that, these ingredients versus those.
And then there is the interaction of style and ingredients that could produce a
significant difference in the way our meal tastes.
As individuals we either avoid experimenting or deal with the trial and error of
one set of choices over another. So it's no surprise that getting a group to agree
on the style and ingredients of a pizza gets really complicated. When it comes
to group pizza decisions, we usually just muddle through and suffer the
consequences or reduce the challenge by going with individual pizzas or
different toppings on different parts of a large one.
In congregational life, we sometimes deal with group decision making by just muddling through, or as
much as we can we avoid those times when we all have to agree. We honor and support each other
in our individual searches for Truth and Meaning. Everybody is free to order their own theological
pizza. Inevitably, there come times when we must act as a group. When we have to come to
consensus, we may value the democratic process. But the ideal of self-governance still doesn't fully
answer how we make a group decision. Does majority rule and the minority just has to deal with a
future not or their choosing? Are we so concerned with the minority opinion that dissenters can either
prevent the group from moving forward or by expressing their opinions with enough energy create a
situation where the minority rules. Sooner or later when power is used by one group over another there
is resentment and it sometimes builds to a level that it works against our intention to be a loving
community.
Pizza may not justify methodical decision making processes, but some decisions deserve methodical
approaches that everyone trusts and embraces. Should a congregation take a social justice stand?
Should a congregation expand its building or move to a new one? Should a congregation take specific
budget impacting steps to grow in vitality and size, or become more welcoming to diversity, including
becoming more multigenerational?
These are the types of decisions that call for methodical processes. Methodical processes can lead
to solutions around which congregations can form strong consensus. They can help a congregation
embrace future directions that resonate with everyone's understanding of what it means to affirm and
promote our principles and purposes in this real world. Using effective group decision making we can
be wiser than any of us.
“Experts” have identified the steps for group decision making. We can find a set that will work for our
group. Next time we participate in a group decision-making process, no matter how many steps or how
complicated it is, keep in mind that when one of us speaks in a group we are usually either advocating
for something or inquiring about something. By using inquiry as much as advocacy, we contribute to
a climate of mutual respect and trust. Sometimes we get bogged down when some of us are trying to
make longer lists and others are trying to shorten those lists at the same time. Let's do one thing at
a time and make sure everyone understands which one we're doing at any given moment.
Let's keep asking ourselves: are we part of the solution or part of the problem? Keep these ideas in
mind during your next group decision-making experience. I'm convinced that by being better at group
decision making and group problem solving, we have a better chance of saving our planet Earth and
its precious cargo.
Stay Tuned…
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Since Community Unitarian Universalist Church first came into being in 1996 - until 2013, founding
member Laurie Dunham has served as chair of the Worship Committee, and faithfully filled our pulpit
Sunday after Sunday for 17 years! Now Laurie is fully retired – and loving her freedom! Thanks to
CUUC members Laura Chilkott and Nancy McCormick agreeing to a two-year stint as the committee's
co-chairs, Sunday services continue to be lively and informative, as we draw upon our bountiful local
resources.
Guests in our pulpit have included faculty of local institutions, such as Stetson University and Daytona
State College, as well as CUUC members. Laura herself portrayed Unitarian Dorothea Dix, and this
writer spoke recently on the UU General Assembly 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky: “I – and others – discovered something I came to call the ‘Louisville Swirlie.’ When you find yourself ‘lost’ and going in
circles, like a dog chasing its tail...the trick is to have faith and keep going forward, until the Universe
opens a path before you. If it's meant to happen, it'll happen.” CUUC Board of Trustees President
Martha Swanson spoke on the cultural legacy of Halloween, revered by ancient Celtic folk as Samhain
or “Saowein.”
CUUC founding member Pat Gadbaw has volunteered as our new coordinator for the monthly “Potluck
with a Purpose,” now moved from the first to the fourth Friday of each month. October's discussion was
on the topic of “Halloween; Samhain; Day of the Dead: traditions around the world,” with members
sharing their recollections of this holiday near and far.
In the near future we'll be discussing the book, “Behind the Kitchen Door,”
about the working conditions of food service industry laborers, of which in
Florida there are vast numbers. This book has been recommended for
study by UU congregations nationwide. CUUC's Christian Fellowship
kicked off this year's Florida winter season with a pool party/potluck event
to which all members of the congregation – Christian, Pagan and Buddhist
– were invited.
Mistletoe CUUPs invited one and all to join us at Volusia County's own
lovely Gemini Springs Park in Debary, Florida, for a brown-bag picnic and
drum circle on Saturday, October 12, and plans to host drum circles on the
sands of New Smyrna Beach again in November and December – with
bonfires! Our Buddhist group continues to meet on the second Sunday of
each month at the Chi Ling Pai Academy in New Smyrna Beach at 6:30
p.m., with Volusia Buddhist Network sensei (teacher) Morris “Sekiyo”
Sullivan facilitating.
- Joe Wolfarth, Trustee, Community Unitarian Universalist Church
“Genius is seldom recognized for what it is: a good capacity for hard work.” - From a fortune cookie
“Take heart. The future is always tomorrow. And tomorrow is always new.”
- Martha Hartgering
discussion guide (.pdf, 20pages) for Behind the Kitchen Door, the 2013-14 Unitarian Universalist Association Common Read, is now online; you can download it from the UUA website
– one, two, or three 90-minute workshops to lead a congregational group to study and respond
to the book: http://www.uua.org/documents/lfd/commonread/kitchendoor_discussion.pdf.
A
In Behind the Kitchen Door, author Saru Jayaraman reveals how restaurant workers live on some
of the lowest wages in America and how poor working conditions – discriminatory labor practices,
exploitation, and unsanitary kitchens – affect the meals that arrive at our restaurant tables.
The author, who launched a national restaurant workers organization after 9/11, explores the political, economic, and moral implications of eating out: What’s at stake when we choose a restaurant
is not only our own health or “foodie” experience but also the health and well-being of the second
largest private sector workforce – 10 million people, many immigrants, many people of color, who
bring passion, tenacity and insight into the American dining experience.
Page 8 of 12
Have you thought about your elevator speech? – The words you’ll say
when someone in an elevator or grocery line or waiting for a game to start
asks you what Unitarian Universalism is all about? Has to be quick,
truthful, and not boring. Like this one.
Send yours to the Breeze, and we’ll use it.
“Our denomination is unique because every Unitarian Universalist has the
right to develop a personal philosophy of life, without being told what to
believe. We can learn from all philosophies and religions, and also from
science and the arts. We explore important life issues in a caring
community, united by shared values rather than by shared theological
opinions. And no matter what we do believe about theology or philosophy, we try to live a good life and leave the world better than we found it.”
- The Rev. Chris Schriner, Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Fremont, California
Breeze Correspondents - Your UU compatriots welcome suggestions for stories and comments to
share with other cluster congregations and members. This is one way we learn from each other,
exchange new replicable ideas, and enjoy knowing others are exemplifying our UU values. If your
congregation is doing wonderful things and you don’t see them mentioned in the Breeze, talk to your
correspondent.
Gainesville; Jax Arlington, Greg Hines ([email protected]); Buckman Bridge (Jacksonville)
Linda Mowers (904-272-3862, [email protected]); Lake County (Eustis), Ted Fessler (352-7357405, [email protected]); Marion County (Summerfield), Nelson Hay,
(941-323-8512;
[email protected]); Mosaic (Orange City), Cary Ragsdale (386-871-1398, [email protected]);
New Smyrna Beach, Joe Wolfarth (386-576-4153, [email protected]); Orlando First, John
Hartgering (352-242-2437, [email protected]); Orlando University, Chris Reid (407-491-4199,
[email protected]); Ormond Beach (Greater Daytona), Donna Jordan ([email protected]);
Palatka (All Souls), Rita Foust (386-546-2539, [email protected]); Rockledge, Nancy
Shacklette (321-259-3979, [email protected]); St. Augustine, Lola Sorensen (904-794-0961,
[email protected]); Valdosta, Betty Derrick (229-794-2301, [email protected]); Vero Beach, Joyce
Levi (772-562-9476, [email protected]); West Melbourne, Yolanda Caraballo (321-220-3472,
[email protected]); Rev. Gregory Wilson (772-871-6010, [email protected]); West Volusia
(DeLand), Carolyn Benton (386-775-0755, [email protected]).
New CBS Documentary highlights Unitarian Universalism - CBS News recently
created a documentary called Religion & Spirituality in a Changing Society to explore
the dramatic changes in Americans' religious behavior. They interview UUA President
the Rev. Peter Morales and profile First Parish Cambridge Unitarian Universalist to
better understand what Unitarian Universalism offers to meet the spiritual needs of
the growing population of “Nones”– or individuals who have no religious affiliation.
The changes in American religiosity were documented last year by the Pew Forum
on Religion in Public Life, when they released a poll showing that 1 in 5 Americans
do not identify with any religion. Despite this dramatic downward trend in religious
affiliation, the number of people who identify as Unitarian Universalist has remained steady and some
reports show growth. Rev. Morales has also seen this trend and written about the unique opportunity
this presents for Unitarian Universalism.
Watch the full video online at CBSNews.com; join the conversation on the UUA's Facebook page, and
check your local listings to learn when the program will air in your area.
- From the 1U Orlando website
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Thinking Out Loud
ecently, Rev. Kenn Hurto has been talking about new cluster
formations – a few congregations committing in a handshake-kindof-way to sharing congregation-growing ideas and/or partnering
for outreach with each other on a regular basis. When I read his ideas,
and read about clusters in the Unitarian Universalist world as well as
cluster partnerships in other religions, it seems an obvious and helpful
idea.
R
After being coordinator of the Northeast Cluster for the last eighteen
months and member of the consulting board for two years before that,
I know that the Northeast Cluster has too many “member” congregations
and that we are spread too far apart geographically. The clusters were
Martha Hartgering
created so that congregations could work together to “do” church better
and offer programs of interest to the UU community. Meetings were an important information
sharing time and people connection time. Clusters also had a formal role in District governance.
All things change. The Northeast Cluster was once three distinct clusters. Over the years two clusters somehow disbanded and the giant Northeast Cluster was formed. In the future, the seventeen
Northeast Cluster congregations will likely reconfigure by geography and/or shared interests.
Clusters in the future may begin as “ad hoc” cooperative groups. Two, or three or five, congregations will start sharing and working with each other in deliberate ways, and notice how membership,
leadership, and/or outreach initiatives develop for the better. Some ideas will be short-lived. Other
ideas will be supported for many years. For example, some Unitarian Universalist congregations
in Florida have partnered with a community environmental initiative and other faiths – committing volunteers, money, and meeting space to a climate change environmental concern. Other congregations have cooperated in bringing significant speakers to their area. Others have grouped around
congregation growth issues and challenges of governance.
The Northeast Cluster meeting on November 2 will be discussing the future of the Northeast Cluster.
Next month I will comment on the conversation.
Martha
Martha Hartgering
NEC Coordinator
“There's a sense that in order for me to be right, everyone who disagrees with me is wrong. It makes
religious interfaith cooperation more difficult. If I believe that, I have to believe that other people's religions are worthless, invalid.
“You have to understand that religion is not about getting information about God. Religion is about
community. The primary purpose is not to get us to heaven but to put us in touch with other people.
I can have fierce loyalty to my family without denigrating other people's family. I can have fierce loyalty
to my own religion without denigrating other people's religion. In the same way, my neighbor can say,
‘My wife is the most wonderful woman in the world.’ I can take that as a statement of love, not fact.”
- Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People
Page 10 of 12
2013-2014 UU Calendar for Quick Cluster Check
November 2013
2
Northeast Cluster Fall Gathering - 1 U, Orlando, FL
9
Saving the Indian River Lagoon - Songs and Stories - UU Fellowship, Vero Beach, FL
23
Workshop - Right relations in a covenantal community - St. Augustine Fellowship, St. A, FL
December 2013
7
Leading Through Change - Naples, FL
February 2014
21-22 Healing Our World and Ourselves Conference - symposium on climate disruption - Vero Beach, FL
March 2014
14-16 Annual District Women’s Retreat, DaySpring Episcopal Conference Center, Ellenton, FL
April 2014
25-28 Florida District Choral Festival and Florida District Annual Meeting
UU Fellowship of Vero Beach, FL
Northeast Cluster, Florida District, Unitarian Universalist Association
Martha H. Hartgering, coordinator - [email protected] - 352-242-2437
Rev. Richard “Bud” Murphy, ministerial consultant - [email protected] - 386-846-1840
Leadership Team
Mavis Greene, Jacksonville - [email protected] - 904-272-4980
John Hartgering, Orlando - [email protected] - 352-242-2437
Linda Newman, West Volusia - [email protected] - 386-734-1117
Lola Sorensen, St. Augustine - [email protected] - 904-794-0961
Website
Jack Kulas, webmaster - www.necluster.uufg.org, [email protected] 352-219-4338
Northeast Breeze, Northeast Cluster Newsletter
Joyce Levi, co-editor - [email protected] 772-562-9476
Chris Reid, co-editor - [email protected] - 407-491-4199
Florida District, Unitarian Universalist Association
Florida District Office, Jessica Curren, Administrator - [email protected] - 407-894-2119
The Rev. Kenneth G. Hurto, District Executive - [email protected] - 321-422-4625
Website
www.floridadistrict.org
uuasouthernregion.org
Unitarian Universalist Justice Florida
UUJF Board
Kindra Muntz, Venice, President - [email protected] - 941-497-1764
Rev. Bud Murphy, Ormond Beach, Vice President - [email protected] - 386-846-1840
Gerald Goen, Tarpon Springs, Secretary - [email protected] - 727-937-8590
Martha Hartgering, Orlando, Treasurer - [email protected] - 352-242-2437
Steve Jens-Rochow, Davie, Director - [email protected] - 954-647-8379
Robert Keim, Brooksville, Director - [email protected] - 352-793-2268
Glenn Rogers, Vero Beach, Director - [email protected] - 772-567-9395
Steve Segner, Ormond Beach, Director - [email protected] - 386-788-3039
Barbara Sterling, Tallahassee, Director - [email protected] - 850-386-7453
And one more page...
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Born in a log cabin in Massachusetts on November 3, 1794,..
...Unitarian William Cullen Bryant started writing poetry in his teens and at length became regarded as
one of America’s most important poets. A Williams College educated lawyer and journalist, he is also
one of the founders of the Republican Party. The WCB Homestead, on 465 acres in the Hampshire
Hills, was originally a one-and-one-half story Dutch Colonial built in 1783 by Bryant’s grandfather. The
poet eventually moved back and bought the property and as he grew more prosperous, eventually
becoming editor of The New York Evening Post, he set about ambitiously constructing, transforming
the once humble farm, adding wings on either side, raising the whole house, adding a new lower floor
and constructing 26 rooms. Here the 18-year old “Cullen,” as he was known, wrote “Thanatopsis,” a
favorite American “moral” poem, along with some of his most renowned work. It was not until 1832
that, with the assistance of Washington Irving in Britain, he won recognition as America's leading poet.
Although he is now thought of as a New Englander, Bryant, for most of his lifetime, was thoroughly a
New Yorker – and a very dedicated one at that. He was a major force behind the idea that became
Central Park, as well as a leading proponent of creating the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He was one
of a group of founders of New York Medical College. He had close affinities with the Hudson River
School of art. He defended immigrants and, at some financial risk to himself, championed the rights
of workers to form labor unions.
In his last decade, Bryant shifted from writing his own poetry to a blank verse translation of Homer's
works. He is also remembered as one of the principal authorities on homeopathy and as a hymnist for
the Unitarian Church. A statue of William Cullen Bryant is in Bryant Park on 42nd Street, adjacent to
the New York Public Library, and the city later named a public high school in Long Island City, Queens,
in his honor. He died in 1878.
So live, that when thy summons comes to join...The innumerable caravan which moves...To that
mysterious realm, where each shall take...His chamber in the silent halls of death,...Thou go
not, like the quarry-slave at night,...Scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed ...By
an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave...Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch ...About
him, and lies down to pleasant dreams. [From Thanatopsis by William Cullen Bryant]
- Information from the internet; artwork from Google Images
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