Newsletter of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka
MARCH
2017
What Does It Mean To Be A Community of Risk?
To act is to be committed, and to be committed is to be in danger.
~James Baldwin
As the poet David Whyte puts it: “We are
here essentially to risk ourselves in the world.
We are meant to hazard ourselves for the
right thing, for the right woman or the right
man, for a son or a daughter, for the right
Yet, as James Baldwin reminds us, it’s
work or for a gift given against all the odds.”
not quite that simple. He places commitBob Marley’s take is equally compelling. He
ment, not thrills, at the center of the game.
writes, “The truth is, everyone is going to hurt
For him, the ones to be admired are not so
you. You just got to find the ones worth suffermuch the dare devils as the dedicated ones. ing for.”
And that Holy Grail? Well, he suggests, maybe it’s not “the exciting life’ as we’ve been
And here’s the twist: It’s not just Baldtold. Maybe it’s the faithful life.
win’s dangers, Whyte’s hazards and Marley’s
suffering that come at us when we take the
And that turns everything wonderfully risk of living faithfully. Grace and gifts slip in
on its head. From this perspective, the imthere too! As the Scottish writer W.H. Murray
portant question about risk (and about life) is explains,
not “Are you willing to jump off?” but “Are
you willing to jump in?” Not “Are you willing
“Concerning all acts of creation,
to put yourself in danger?” but “Are you willthere is one elementary truth, the iging to give yourself to something bigger?”
norance of which kills countless ideas
Not “Will you be daring?” but “Will you stay
and splendid plans: that the moment
true?”
one definitely commits oneself, then
Providence moves too. All sorts of
And the message changes too. Sudthings occur to help one that would
denly, it’s not “Run to what’s thrilling!” but
never otherwise have occurred. A
“Don’t run away!”
whole stream of events issues from the
decision, raising in one's favor all manIt’s all about remembering not to let
ner of unforeseen incidents and meetthe thrilling trump the faithful. As exciting as
ings and material assistance, which
roller coasters and jumping out of planes
no one could have dreamt would
might be, let’s remember to remind each
have come their way.”
other that the most deeply rewarding risks
are the ones that involve jumping into causes How thrilling is that?!
and putting our hearts in the hands of others.
—Soul Matters
Risk is usually associated with the dare devils
and thrill seekers. The real danger, we’re told,
is a life of boredom. The battle is between the
bland and the bold.
What Does it Mean to be a Community of RISK?
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Newsletter of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka
MARCH
March 2017 Sunday Services and Offertories
Unitarian Universalist
Fellowship of Topeka (UUFT)
4775 SW 21st Street
Topeka, Kansas 66604
785-273-9233
Sunday Morning Service 10:30 a.m.
Children’s Religious Education
March 5
"The Spiritual Lessons of Risk Taking" --Rev. Sarah
Drawing from the work of Brene' Brown on the courage
to be vulnerable and Mark Nepo's book "Finding Inner
Courage," Rev. Sarah will explore the challenges and
opportunities of risk taking as spiritual practice that
opens us up to "whole-hearted living" and the courage
it takes to dig deep and live with our hearts wide open.
Offering: Trust Women
March 12
Pulpit exchange Rev. Jill Jarvis
Offering: Ministerial Discretionary
March 19
Intergenerational: "Take a Risk, Share your
Gifts!" Celebrating Spring and Sharing Our Gifts:
stories, music, poems, artwork. Take a chance and
share your gifts--whether they come in the form of a
painting, picture or other artwork, as music or song, as
poetry or goofy jokes, as storytelling or dance. If your
gift is quilting or knitting or stitching or crafting...bring
us an example or perform a piece for us! Contact
[email protected] to be part of this service. ALL AGES
can engage this, and material must be rated "G."
Offering: Equality House/Planting Peace
March 26
"A Story of Risk and Transformation" Verne Brien
Offering: Guest speaker/Musician Fund
2017
Minister Rev. Sarah OglesbyDunegan r evsar [email protected] g 720339-6779
Director of Religious Exploration/
Youth Lynnnie Lee [email protected]
Administrative Assistant Suzy
Loy office @uuft.or g 785-5547782
Membership Co-Chairs: Vicki
George
[email protected] &
Tracy Metcalf [email protected]
Board
President Kathy Menzie
[email protected]
Stewardship Chair Don Chronister don_chr onister [email protected]
BEACON TEAM
Rev. Sarah Oglesy-Dunegan
Final Copy/Layout Editor
Oshara Meesha
Layout Editor
Nancy Gorton
Copy Editor
Please send your submissions to:
[email protected]
by the 15th of the month
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Newsletter of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka
MARCH
2017
International Women's Strike March 8
Women, it is
time for us to
draw the line.
We have
strength in
numbers, and
we displayed
those numbers
across the
world on January 21. Let us show our numbers again on
March 8. The International Women’s Strike
calls for fair and equal pay, access to food
and water and a clean environment, an end
to violence, and medical care, for us and for
our children.
There is a phrase “step out of your comfort
zone” which translates to “take some risk”
Stepping out of your comfort zone may require you to step into uncharted territory.
That point where you’ve already taken a
road less travelled, but it came to a dead
end. Now you must start a path toward that
Utopia we all dream of.
I ask of you to risk your wealth, your job, for
one day, International Women’s Day. I ask
you to take the day off from work for your
own self-care. Women dominate the service
industry, and women hold the power to
peacefully disrupt commerce and corporate
wealth for the sake of our own well-being
and fair compensation. How many Nurse’s
Aides, Professional Nurse’s, and medical support workers are women who cannot afford
their own healthcare? How many Teachers
and Para-Educators are working two jobs to
make ends meet while caring for and educating our nation’s children? How many
women at the cash-register have not eaten
lunch as they ring up our groceries? How
many women are shut
out from a full-time position with benefits simply
for the sake of the corporate bottom-line? It’s
time to disrupt business
as usual for the sake of
our own health and welfare. March 8. Wear
RED. WOMEN STRIKE!
Photo by: Rob Koch
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Newsletter of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka
MARCH
2017
Camp Unistar Announcement
Looking for a fun family vacation experience for the summer? Look no further than attending Camp Unistar, nestled in the Chippewa National Forest on Star Island on beautiful
Cass Lake in Minnesota. Choose from among nine different program weeks beginning July
1stand ending September 2nd. The pricing is reasonable when you consider the fabulous
food you'll be served along with the experience of meeting UU’s from all over the Midwest
Regional Conference. You have the choice of either staying in a rustic cabin or camping
in your own tent.
Camp Unistar offers multiple recreational activities, including: sailing, kayaking, canoeing,
swimming, water skiing, hiking, single track bicycling or simply kicking back and catching
a nap in between reading that great novel you’ve been waiting to find time to sink your
teeth into--all this in the beautiful northern woods of Minnesota.
It’s all about Community!
Kansas Interfaith Action:
Stand With Your Muslim Neighbors Day March 13 9:30 a.m. at KS capitol
Bring your friends and family to stand with Topeka and Kansas Muslims in solidarity and tell
your legislators you expect them to do this as well. Speakers, ceremony of solidarity.
————————————————————————————————————————————
Join us at the Kansas Statehouse on Thursday, March 16th as we share information about WEALTH: Water,
Energy, Air, Land, Transportation and Health in Kansas.
Start the day with an interfaith climate vigil, followed by an advocate policy briefing, exhibits, local
foods lunch and legislator meetings. Come and go as you like, but RSVP before March 9th to join us for a
complimentary local foods lunch!
For a complete agenda and to register for the complimentary lunch visit the Climate + Energy Project's
website, http://www.climateandenergy.org/page.59.wealth-day
——————————————————————————————————————————————————-
WALK for Responsible Revenue policy in Kansas, and for funding
for important Kansas priorities--education, healthcare, programs for children and the
disabled, etc. Walk from Emporia, Manhattan or Merriam KS to Topeka (20 miles a day)
and/or participate in rallies to increase the visibility of Kansas needs and a revenue policy
that is responsible--that repeals the LLC, re-instates 3 tier income tax, and renounces the so
-called "glide path to zero" or ratchet mechanism. Want more information? Contact
Kansas People's Agenda at [email protected] or contact Mary Akerstrom or
Rev. Sarah. We could use some help recruiting drivers for pick up, drop off, some help with
food for the walkers and other logistics. Don't want to walk? There's plenty to do! March
24, 25, 26; final rally on March 27 at TBA time (likely 10:00 a.m.)
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Newsletter of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka
MARCH
2017
Diane Kessler started attending UUFT last summer,
based on a friend’s recommendation and information
from uuft.org. She was raised in western Pennsylvania,
where her family’s religious affiliation was Roman
Catholic. After graduating from USMMA with a
engineering degree and a shipboard engineering
license, she then served as a officer in the USCG before
embarking on a career in the electric utility industry
during which she obtained her Professional Engineer's
License. She retired in 2015 after working 13 years for
Westar Energy. She has traveled extensively around
the world and within the United States, including
multiple transits through the Panama Canal. What attracts Diane to UUFT is the welcoming
atmosphere and the diversity of thought and experience. She is particularly attracted to,
UU’s goal of love and acceptance. She is currently active in Wellspring.
—Vicki George – Membership Committee
Intergenerational Green Team news
The IGT is moving to Sunday afternoon meetings to accommodate gardening plans and
teen schedules.
March 5: 3:00 -7:30 ish We will do some yard clean-up, compost set up, garden planning,
and host a small cookout and campfire with songs and stories. Anyone can join us for an
afternoon of work and play. If the weather is terrible, we may adjust to do less
outside. Also, campfire only if current fire ban is gone. Otherwise, we'll meet indoors at the
Stoll House (aka youth house). Want to plant some stuff? Get ready to start some seeds at
home and bring them to plant at UUFT. ALL are welcome.
March 12 12:30-2:30 Getting started on set up at UUFT for garden
March 18 Seed Fair at Southern Hills Mennonite 10a-12p --pick up seeds for use at UUFT
garden and at home!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/289505394771978/
The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron
in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies were made in
the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of stardust.
Carl Sagan
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Newsletter of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka
MARCH
2017
SAVE THE DATE! APRIL 22, 2017.
The auction committee has begun planning this very
special event, expected to be a successful fund-raiser
of at least $10,000. We will need many of you to stepup and volunteer your talents and services.
Be thinking of ways you can contribute. We will need
people to help with a variety of tasks, to provide
services, or contribute an item. There will be Silent
and Live auction items. Examples: an antique
necklace, A ceramic baking dish, transporting
someone to the airport, a dozen or two of Homemade
Cinnamon Rolls, a special dinner you host for 6 - 8 in
your home, etc. There will be baskets offered with a
drawing.
Examples: Coffee and Chocolate Basket, Tea for Two
Basket, Herb Garden Basket, etc...
Please contact Rob or Jana Koch
for more information.
[email protected] or 785-2497820. [email protected] or 785-224-8936.
Join us as we plan!!!!
A team is joyfully planning a service auction
tentatively set for early April, 2017. This event will be a major fundraiser for
our Fellowship.
Team members will be canvassing for auction items, event entertainment, and much more.
If you would like to be part of the action for this coming fun-filled event
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Newsletter of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka
MARCH
2017
What is Stew ar ds hip Tr ying to A ccomp lis h?
talent, treasure
and ties.
We aspire to create a
culture of gratitude and
abundance in UUFT. We
want to create an
environment where all
members appreciate the
value added to their lives
because of their own
contributions of time,
In order to do this, we have adopted an
adaptive model to develop a stewardship
program specific to UUFT. This requires not
only a thorough knowledge of what works in
stewardship but also the willingness and the
courage to be innovative. We are human
and therefore not perfect. We will make
mistakes. I will guarantee it. We ask for your
support in this monumental task, because
stewardship is something that touches
everything we do at UUFT.
The stewardship program is based on two
foundations. First our strongest asset has
always been our people. Our commitment is
continue to build that community and
incorporate our newest members and reach
out to past members. Second, we have had
a historically strong social justice program.
Rev. Sarah has taken us to a whole new level
and provided the spark necessary to build
coalitions to make a real difference in our
community and in the state.
The focus of the third year will be on
generosity of spirit. We would also like to
focus on growing our endowment and
possibly adding a 4th endowment to address
our long term needs for maintenance of
building and grounds. We will encourage
boomers to consider UUFT in their estate
planning. The fourth and final year will focus
on sustainability- developing 5 year
stewardship plan and creating a manual
that can be passed from one stewardship
chair to the next on how to run a year round
stewardship program.
We have a great team to make this happen.
Rev. Sarah , Rob Koch, and Carl Broxterman,
have been joined by three younger
members: Jarvis Odgers, Wade Patterson
and Juliet Fehrenbacher. Between the
stewardship team and the community
builders, we have 20 people and their
spouses who are championing the
stewardship effort. When we hit 50 people
we will start to see results and realize our
aspiration of creating a culture of gratitude
and abundance.
Thanks! Don Chronister, Chair
I am willing to provide consistent leadership
and head the stewardship effort for 4 years.
The first year we focused upon developing a
stewardship team, a cadre of community
builders, and building relationships to
recognize time and talent contributions of
our volunteers. This second year, we are
focused upon our basic concept of
receiving and giving and improving our
Annual Operating Budget Campaign.
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Newsletter of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka
What Does it Mean to be a Community of RISK?
MARCH
2017
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Newsletter of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka
MARCH
2017
Notes rom UUFT Board Meeting
ON
GOING
OPPORTUNITIES
Sunday Book Group—Meets Sundays at 9
a.m. in the Dr. Emily Stowe Room.
([email protected])
Beacon Youth Group-is a welcoming
environment for queer youth ages 12-18 to
engage in socialization, education,
exploration, and activism. For more
information, see their website at http://
beaconyouthgroup.org. Monday 5:30 p.m.7:30 p.m.
Mindfulness meditation group (TNH)Wednesday- 7:00-8:30. Contact Charles
Fantz
Wednesday Book Group—Meets 2nd & 4th
Wednesday at 1 pm in Fahs Chapel.
([email protected])
Hatha Yoga—Meets Thursdays at 5:30-6:20
pm in Scanland Hall. Allan Foster facilitates
(2nd & 4th Thursdays) & Bill Lucero (1st & 3rd
Thursdays).
Let’s Help Volunteering—2nd Friday of each
month. Contact Ann Barr at 231-9927.
Harvester’s Work Day—1st Saturday 9 am of
each month. Report to 2nd & Quincy.
Contact Bill Lucero at [email protected].
One Hour Choir 3rd Sundays—Janine Silsby
[email protected]
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Newsletter of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka
MARCH
2017
Social Justice
The Social Justice Committee invites the whole congregation to discuss two Resolutions: a
Declaration of Solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, and a call to support Death
with Dignity. The UUA does support both of these issues. Committee members will host discussion after Sunday services March 5th and 12th, beginning at 12:15pm
BLACK LIVES MATTER
As a Welcoming Congregation we will expand
our support for groups working toward justice for
all in society. As the Unitarian Universalist Association has embraced Black Lives Matter, and has
grown a moral coalition on a national and global
level, we at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka do also pledge to nurture and grow the Beloved Community in Kansas.
Therefore be it resolved that the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka embrace the Black
Lives Matter movement. “Black Lives Matter is an
ideological and political intervention in a world
where Black lives are systematically and intentionally targeted for demise. It is an affirmation of
Black folks’ contributions to this society, our humanity, and our resilience in the face of deadly
oppression.” (blacklivesmatter.com/guidingprinciples)
As defined by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Beloved
Community is a global vision, in which all people
can share in the wealth of the earth. In the Beloved Community, poverty, hunger and homelessness will not be tolerated because international
standards of human decency will not allow it.
Racism and all forms of discrimination, bigotry
and prejudice will be replaced by an all-inclusive
spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood. In the Beloved Community, international disputes will be
resolved by peaceful conflict-resolution and reconciliation of adversaries, instead of military power. Love and trust will triumph over fear and hatred. Peace with justice will prevail over war and
military conflict.” (The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Atlanta, GA)
THE RIGHT TO DIE WITH DIGNITY
WHEREAS, the tradition of Unitarian Universalism
provides for the option for Death With Dignity
{DWD} at the end of life, thereby honoring the
right of its members to self-determination and human dignity in the dying process; and
WHEREAS, the US Constitution guarantees “the
free exercise” of religion;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka [UUFT] shall authorize its members to advocate for Religious Freedom on the issue of DWD by informing and petitioning legislators and other Kansas government
officials to support legislation that will create legal
protection for DWD; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED; That UUFT will seek the
support of other UU churches in Kansas and their
members to support and advocate for Religious
Freedom on the issue of DWD in Kansas.
The Committee also supports Oshara Meesha as she travels to the first Black Lives of UU (BLUU) convention in New Orleans this month. Visit www.blacklivesuu.com for more information!
March 8 is International Women’s Day and a call for a Women’s Strike has reached all corners of
the globe. Skip work, wear RED, and disrupt business as usual! NO shopping except at femmefriendly, locally owned stores. Visit the Capitol to tell legislators women need a fair wage. Pack the
galleries and create a sea of red! Join the IWD solidarity event in Lawrence, KS at Watson Park, 727
Kentucky St., from noon until 5:00pm. Visit womenstrikeus.org for the entire platform.
Later in March, as students are returning from Spring Break, Game On for Kansas Schools will hold
their annual Walk to fund public education, however this year the Kansas People’s Agenda team
asks us to expand the message –Restore the Revenue! UUFT members & friends are asked to support walkers coming to Topeka from nearby cities with picnic lunches, possible home-stays, and
rally March 27.
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Newsletter of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka
MARCH
2017
Sheryl Baber Invites her UUFT Friends to a
50th Birthday Party @ UUFT
March 25 2017 6 p.m. - 8p.m.
Live Jazz Combo with Forrest
Bring something to share in a Potluck
Celebration of Life for Jane Newman
March 4, 10:00 a.m. @UUFT
Come help us remember and
celebrate a vibrant soul!
Help wanted: Musicians to play prelude/postlude; Accompanist for hymns; people to explore more ways to develop
our music for Sunday (choir singing, soloists, a band?) Also looking for people who are willing to do A/V and work with Sunday
services as a leader, worship associate, story teller. And ALWAYS
looking for volunteers in the nursery and RE Spirit Play room!
What Does it Mean to be a Community of RISK?
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Newsletter of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka
MARCH
2017
Layout Design Editor: Oshara Meesha
Copy Editor: Nancy Gorton
Final Copy/Layout Editor: Rev. Sarah
Are you interested in being a part of the BEACON Newsletter Team? We need pictures and articles. We love
pictures because they can tell stories all by themselves. Is there anything else you would like to see with the
newsletter? Please give a shout out and let us know. [email protected]
What Does it Mean to be a Community of RISK?
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Newsletter of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka
MARCH
2017
Please go to uuft.org to view the daily calendar
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka
4775 SW 21st Street
Topeka, Ks 66604
On the web at hhtp://www.uuft.org
Send articles for the UUFT Beacon to
Send articles for the UUFT Beacon to:
[email protected] and
[email protected]
Deadline is the 20th of each month
What Does it Mean to be a Community of RISK?
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