December 2012 Vol. 58, Issue 12
www.uuclr.org
1818 Reservoir Rd., Little Rock, AR 72227
December Sundays
December 2
11:00am
December 9
9:00 am
11:00 am
Advent, Christmas, and our
Christian Connections
Rev. Bob Klein
Drumming Circle
Hanukkah (12/8-16) and our
Jewish Connections
Rev. Bob Klein
December 16
11:00 am
Festivals of Light and
IllUUmination (our own holiday)
Rev. Bob Klein
December 23
11:00 am
‘Twas the Morning before the
Night Before Christmas and….
Rev. Bob Klein
December 24
5:30 pm
Christmas Eve Celebration!
December 30
11:00 am
Guest Speaker
CONTACT INFORMATION
Minister
Rev. Bob Klein 501-240-2957 [email protected]
Office Admin
Melissa Brown 501-225-1503 [email protected]
Director of RE
Rachel Finley 501-225-1503 [email protected]
Music Director
John Perez 501-225-1503 [email protected]
President
John Adams [email protected]
Minister Emeritus
Rev. Alexander “Scotty” Meek [email protected]
IlUUmination and
Festival of Light
Celebrations
Let Your IllUUmination
Light Shine
It wasn’t quite a “Dear Virginia”
story, but it’s our story. Years
ago, little Sheriann Lovelace-Chandler (now an
expecting mother herself) asked her parents why
we didn’t celebrate a winter holiday at UUCLR like
Christmas or Hanukah.
Her simple question
inspired Ben and Venita Lovelace-Chandler to
develop just such a holiday for UUCLR which was
centered around lights and chalices. The holiday
they called IllUUmination had meager beginnings,
but has developed into a regular annual event with
its own colors, music, rituals, and traditions. And
fun, fun, fun!
This year, we are celebrating IllUUmination on
December 15 beginning with a 5:30-6:30 pm
Happy Hour, followed by a potluck and diversified
program. Then, the next day at 11:00am, the
Sunday
worship service will be our annual
“Festival of Light.” There we look at the role that
lights have played in world traditions that we draw
upon. We consider IllUUmination as one of the
lights within the world of religions. So unique and
Continued on Page 3
Program Council Team Liaisons
Adult Faith Development
Children & Youth RE
Communication
Facilities
Faith In Action
Fellowship
Worship Arts
Gene Hudnall
Rachel Finley (Need Liaison)
Sue McDonald
Nell Matthews
Need Liaison
Sue McDonald
Margaret McLellan
FROM THE MINISTER…
December has long been my favorite month. Between my birthday and Christmas
and New Year’s Eve, there were just too many good things happening to consider
any other month. I love the holiday lights and the holiday carols. I used to wait with
great anticipation for the first snow, which usually came in December (at least in
Chicago and other northern climes). I no longer need the excitement of shoveling
snow or driving on ice, but I still love December! I especially have always enjoyed a
Christmas Eve by Candlelight and I really like it when we can finish off under the
stars! Come join us at 5:30 on the 24th for our Christmas Eve Service!
I was still working on my decision when I needed to get my last Outer Circle article turned in, so I didn’t
tell you about my upcoming transition, but I hope you either were in church on Nov. 11th or received my
letter, or both. In any case, this will be my last year at UUCLR. I will leave after the end of the fiscal year
June 30th. I do not know where life will take me next, so this December leaves me in the midst of
uncertainty. I wanted to leave when things were in good shape here, and the recent addition of 12 new
members came as a sign of health. I have enjoyed almost all of my time with you and I have come to
love y’all along with Little Rock and Arkansas (I haven’t been entirely comfortable calling the hogs,
especially with my Alma Mater, Northern Illinois University poised to repeat as MAC champ, but I do
hope the hogs have a better year in 2013). I wish you all well!
In this season of many holidays, I hope that you have wonderful and safe visits with many beloved
friends and family members. I hope to see you all many times before I leave next summer!
Peace be with you!
Rev. Bob
FROM THE PRESIDENT…
will we give them? What name might they give us?
You've seen them, right? The bright yellow Standing on
the Side of Love t-shirts? The ones that have our friends
in Arizona calling us "The Love People"? We've had
some talks about these shirts lately.
Only you−all of you, of us−can answer that.
One of UUCLR's strategic goals is to form a Standing on
the Side of Love action team. Those of us who would
join it would, when cause arose, put on the shirts and be
visibly present at public events. It seems simple, doesn't
it? And yet we haven't achieved it.
Recently, several of us discussed an event which (it was
proposed) we might attend, wearing the shirt. We
decided against it. And during the discussion, one
person questioned whether the "meaning of the shirt"
would cover the proposed action.
So what do those yellow shirts mean?
In Little Rock, in Pulaski County, in Arkansas, right now
those shirts have no public meaning. Not yet. The shirts,
like all such emblems, will gain and refine meaning as
we use them. In Arizona, it made us "The Love People."
What can we make them mean here? What meaning
Page 2
What I can answer is what wearing the shirt means
personally, to me. I try not to wear it lightly. I wore it to
church and to preach. This year, I wore it in the Martin
Luther King Day march, and plan to wear it there again
on January 21st, with as many of you as possible. I
wore it at Occupy events and I wore it to hear Melissa
Harris-Perry speak and I wore it to the CAR/DYSC
picnic. I wear it to interfaith events.
When I wear the yellow shirt, it means to me that I am in
a state of heightened responsibility for the world around
me. It means I'm ready to actively engage those who
might ask me about Unitarian Universalism or UUCLR.
It means I am prepared to act, or ready to witness, or
open to learning. It means I am willing to commit myself
in an uncertain situation for an unknowable outcome in
an undeniable cause. It means I am there in service of a
reason beyond my own self.
Perhaps we can't give that yellow shirt such a complex
public meaning, but I think we can. People are very
sophisticated consumers of symbols, giving them
Pledge Contributions of
Appreciated Common Stock
Anyone wishing to make a pledge contribution of
common stock before year end should contact Fred
Roberson at 221-6306 or talk with his assistant
Robin at 221-6330, as the instructions for
transferring stock have changed since last year.
Please allow sufficient time for the transfer, as
things can take a bit longer in late December due to
holiday schedules, bad weather, etc. As a
reminder, the advantage of using appreciated stock
is the donor avoids paying income taxes on the
gain, and receives a deduction for the value of the
stock on the date it transfers to the church (if the
donor benefits from itemizing deductions).
IllUUmination and Festival of Light
Capital Campaign in Our Future?
Maybe. You may remember that we took out a line
of credit last spring in order to make essential roof
repairs. We need to pay the balance which is
currently $33,000. But other needs have been
identified by various committees:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Paint the sanctuary
Replace the windows in the RE building
Buy new appliances in the kitchen
Install audiovisual aids - Sanctuary & Thomson
Replace the flooring in Thomson Hall
Install a digital sign on road to identify church
The Stewardship/Finance Committee wants your
reactions to these preliminary plans: What projects
would you add? What projects would you drop?
What are your dreams?
Continued from Page 1
meaningful has OUR winter celebration been that
has been embrace in other churches across the
Unitarian Universalist denomination as THEIR
winter celebration.
There will be something for everyone on Saturday
night: food, fires, singing, a variety of music, crafts,
luminarias, child care, toasts and more. So, pull
out your purple and silver clothes and bling, fix up a
favorite holiday dish, and bring the kids (or not),
and get ready for the fun and warmth! For the
dinner, we ask that everyone bring a special
holiday dish. Suggested dishes for this sumptuous
feast: A-G casseroles or vegetarian entrees; H-L
desserts; M-R vegetables or salads; S-Z breads,
pasta, or rice.
If you would like to contribute your time or talents to
the planning and preparation of the celebration,
many hands are needed. Ideas are welcome.
Contact Margaret McLellan, Worship Arts Team
Chair, at 501-664-884
President’s Letter
Continued from Page 2
varying meanings by the context in which they're found.
But if the only meaning most people ever attach to it−
and thereby to us−is "The Love People" or something
like it, that's plenty good enough for me.
John Adams
Please send your ideas and comments to me at
[email protected]. The congregation would have to
approve a capital campaign before undertaking it.
Dave Rickard, Chair
Stewardship/Finance Committee
Gifts for the Staff
Now is the time of year that we
ask members to reach into their
hearts and pocketbooks and consider making a donation towards
bonuses for our loyal and supportive staff members. This is our way of thanking the Director of
Religious Education, the Music Director, the Church
Administrator and our Minister for the wonderful
work they do all year long.
Donations should be given to Edith Bradberry or
Nancy Kimpel. Checks should be made out to Edith
or Nancy, not UUCLR - these are gifts and we do
not want them subject to withholding tax. The gifts
will be given at the IllUUmination celebration on
December 15th and need to be turned in by Friday
December 14th. Please do not put donations into
the dropbox in the office.
Contact Nancy at [email protected] and Edith at
[email protected].
Page 3
December
Birthdays
Noah South..................... 12/6
Ron Gimblet.................... 12/7
Robert Klein .................... 12/7
John Willis ...................... 12/7
Sarah Wildman ............... 12/9
Laura Luce.................... 12/10
Chris Kupper................. 12/11
Diane McConnell .......... 12/11
Rebecca Nelson ........... 12/12
Danny Wildman ............ 12/13
Judy Michaels ............... 12/14
Clyde Bailey.................. 12/16
John Mize ..................... 12/16
Lily Robison .................. 12/18
Beatrice Robinson ........ 12/20
Jason Kyle .................... 12/23
Alma Viscarra ............... 12/23
Tatiana Campbell ......... 12/26
Kiva Hanson ................. 12/27
Corbin Cannon ............. 12/27
Barbara Whitney........... 12/28
Joey Loftis, Sr............... 12/29
Kay Morgan .................. 12/29
Ruby Nichols ................ 12/29
Johnye Strickland ......... 12/30
Contact the church office at 225-1503 with
corrections or additions or log into the church
database through the UUCLR web site and make
corrections.
Children and Youth RE Schedule
10:00 Class
11:00 Worship with Families
1:00-3:00 YoUUth Group
UUCLR YOUUTH are usually meeting Sunday
afternoons 1-3 p.m. Youth grades 6/age 12 through
High School or age 18 are welcome. Youth or parents
can contact Rachel Finley or Rev. Bob at the church
office for more information.
Dec. 16 - Festivals of Light and IllUUmination! Join
us as we honor the Festivals of Light from some of the
greatest world religions, and continue the celebration
of our own UU holiday, IllUUmination.
Dec. 23rd and 30th - Children and Youth RE classes
are on break. The nursery will be open from 10 - 12:30.
Regional 2013 Spring Training
Mark your calendar for Spring Training for Southern
Region leaders will be offered April 4 - 7 in Atlanta (site
TBA).
This training will include all-inclusive OWL
Training, Teacher Training Renaissance Module,
Covenant
Development,
Compassionate
Communication, Micro-Aggression and Basics on
Growth.
If you are interested in attending, please
contact Rachel Finley at [email protected].
page 4
FORUM
Sundays @ 10:00 am ~ Thomson Hall
Dec. 2
Book Discussion: The Better Angels of Our
Nature: Why Violence Has Declined, by
Steven Pinker
Ken Lake
Dec. 9
Share the Plate Sunday - Our House
Dec. 16 Theme Sunday: Buddhism 101
Susie Phillips (Elaine Gimblet’s daughter)
Dec. 23 Discussion on How UUs Observe Christmas
Jan Bowen
Dec. 30 TBA
Young at Heart
Please join us on December 11 at 11:30 for lunch
($5) followed by a special program. Rich Roy will
share his music with us as we enjoy a jubilant
holiday sing along!
Bring guests and friends, and this time we're asking
for a head count to be sure we have the right amount
of food and places at the table. Please email Selma
at [email protected] to say you'll join us, or call
225-3185 and leave a message.
Vegetarian Potluck December 2
The Vegetarian Potluck is proving to be very popular−
the November lunch had a great turnout! Join your
friends again on the December 2 after service to enjoy
a wide variety of delicious dishes.
Bring your favorite vegetarian creation or visit your local
market - there are lots of wonderful vegetables, grains
and breads available in most deli sections. The choices
are endless and we are an community that values
diversity, especially if it tastes good.
Namaste, Linda Vanblaricom
Exploring UU Class
The next Exploring UU Class will be held on December
2 (after lunch) from 1:30 to 3:30. Learn more about
Unitarian Universalism and its practices, history, ideals,
and structure. This class is a great way to look at what
our congregation offers. Recommended for anyone
considering membership in our church.
Welcoming New Members
Kenny Stice
I am a 19 year college student at the University of Central Arkansas, studying political science and history. I am also a member of the UCA Honors
College and the UCA cross country and track team. Before
coming to the Little Rock metroplex, I lived in Plano, Texas. Although I was
not a member of the UU Church in Plano (learned about it too late), I did
have friends who were UUs.
Kenny
I joined UUCLR because of its progressive principles towards
spirituality and its goals for a better world. As a deist, I would not feel comfortable in a traditional church so I find Unitarian Universalism to be the
best spiritual group.
Sharon Marcum
I am 68 and earning a degree in Conflict Mediation at UALR that compliments my masters in social work. I worked as a social worker and
held positions focused on leadership roles in non-profits and corporations.
Currently, I work part-time at the Little Rock
Community Health Center and love being in direct contact with the
clients.
For many years, I considered myself done with "church,"
then I helped a friend set up for an art show in UUCLR and picked up
pamphlets on display. I began attending Forum, services, and
volunteered with our Prison Literacy program. I feel so good being part
of UUCLR, and am enjoying getting to know people!
I have one granddaughter, born two months after my son died, so she is
my miracle! I spend lots of time with her every week and she is the light
of my life. She turns 12 this week so things are really getting interesting!
Sharon
Rebecca Roetzel
I am originally from Western Kansas but moved to Arkansas in 2006
to volunteer on the Heifer Ranch in Perryville. For the past five
years I have lived in Little Rock and currently work downtown at
Heifer International Headquarters.
I began attending UUCLR in 2008 and have been active in the choir
and as the upper RE teacher. Just over a year ago, Michael Roetzel
and I got married at Buffalo Point Campground where the church
has its annual float trip.
We own land near Bee Branch and hope to have our own organic
farm in the future.
Rebecca
Welcoming New Members
Dr. Warigia Bowman
Warigia Bowman was raised UU in Los Alamos, New Mexico. She
has lived in DC, Texas, New York, Boston, Kenya and Egypt, not
necessarily in that order.
She is married to Hamadi Njoroge of Kenya, and they have three children together, Mariamu (7), Ali James (4) and David (2). Warigia and
Hamadi moved to Little Rock in January 2012.
Warigia teaches at the Clinton School of Public Service and Hamadi
owns a taxi company in Oxford Mississippi, www.oxfordtaxi.org, and
a safari company www.wildcatssafaris.com.
Jambo Rafiki! (hello friends!)
Warigia, Mariamu, David and Ali
Dr. Barbara Fuhrman
My name is Barbara Fuhrman and I've been attending church
with my sons Theo Segura (13 years) and Ren Segura (20
months). We moved to Little Rock this past September for my
new job at UAMS.
I grew up attending the First Unitarian Society in Minneapolis,
MN, and have also attended UU churches in Pittsburgh, PA,
and Bethesda, MD. But I've never been an official member
until now! Thank you to all of you for making us feel
so welcomed and at home here!
Theo, Barbara and Ren
John Perez
I grew up in Adrian, Michigan, and went to college at a small school in
Ohio, Mount Union College. After getting a music education degree
and a short stint teaching music in the public schools, I traveled to
Texas where I earned a Masters Degree in Sacred Music. I then spent a
number of years as a music director in Methodist churches before
deciding to follow a lifelong dream and study computers. I graduated
from Washington University with a Masters in Computer Science in
2001 and have worked as a computer programmer since.
Most of my free time is spent with my daughter, Julia, who just turned
five and is the center of my life. However, when I have time, I like to
run, take pictures of my daughter, read, meditate and do yoga.
An interesting fact about me is when I began studying computers, I left
John
music completely, it had lost it's appeal and became a chore. My path
back to music began with joining the choir here at UUCLR and under Paula's direction music was fun
again. Without this experience I would never have agreed to become choir director.
RE-Questors
Sunday Mornings 10:00 a.m. ~ Pehrson Room
The Social Consequences of
of Economic Inequality
The Effect on National Well-Being
Reference Book: The Price of Inequality: How
today’s Divided Society Endangers Our Future
By Joseph E. Sitglitz
You do not have to read the book to
join the discussion
Expand Your Mind…
Read a Book!
Between the
Lines Book Club
The book for December 3 is In the Garden of the
Beasts by Eric Larson
More info? Contact Allan Ward, 664-5921 or
e-mail [email protected].
Come and Decorate
Com e h e l p d e c or a t e f o r t h e
IllUUmination celebration on Friday,
December 14 starting at 5:00pm. Nell
says there will be wine and cheese,
chips, salsa, olives and other snacks
for the intrepid and creative decorating volunteers.
STAFF HOURS
Rev. Bob Klein - Walk-In Hours 2-4 p.m. T-W-Th
Additional hours vary Tuesday-Saturday
Rev. Bob’s day off is Monday.
No office hours Dec 26 - Jan 3
Please call Rev. Bob’s cell to make an
appointment or for emergencies: 501-240-2957
Office Hours
Tuesday 10:00am - 7:00pm
Thursday, Friday 9:45am - 4:15 pm
Closed on Monday & Wednesday
1 December, Saturday
12:00pm-1:00pm
1:00pm-7:00pm
5:00pm-10:00pm
2 December, Sunday
8:00am-1:00pm
10:00am-11:00am
11:00am-12:00pm
11:00am-12:00pm
12:30pm-1:30pm
1:00pm-3:00pm
1:00pm-2:00pm
2:00pm-4:00pm
3 December, Monday
5:00pm-9:00pm
7:00pm-8:00pm
4 December, Tuesday
1:00pm-2:00pm
7:00pm-10:00pm
5 December, Wednesday
11:30am-3:00pm
6:30pm-8:00pm
6 December, Thursday
7:00pm-8:00pm
7 December, Friday
8 December, Saturday
12:00pm-1:00pm
1:00pm-7:00pm
9 December, Sunday
9:30am-10:00am
10:00am-11:00am
11:00am-12:00pm
11:00am-12:00pm
1:00pm-3:00pm
1:00pm-7:00pm
10 December, Monday
5:30pm-7:00pm
11 December, Tuesday
11:30am-1:00pm
1:30pm-2:30pm
5:30pm-7:00pm
7:00pm-8:00pm
12 December, Wednesday
6:30pm-8:00pm
13 December, Thursday
6:30pm-7:30pm
14 December, Friday
15 December, Saturday
12:00pm-1:00pm
1:00pm-7:00pm
5:30pm-9:00pm
16 December, Sunday
10:00am-11:00am
11:00am-12:00pm
11:00am-12:00pm
1:00pm-3:00pm
2:00pm-4:00pm
18 December, Tuesday
4:00pm-6:00pm
7:00pm-10:00pm
7:30pm-8:30pm
19 December, Wednesday
6:30pm-8:00pm
21 December, Friday
6:15pm-7:30pm
22 December, Saturday
12:00pm-1:00pm
1:00pm-7:00pm
23 December, Sunday
10:00am-11:00am
11:00am-12:00pm
11:00am-12:00pm
1:00pm-3:00pm
24 December, Monday
5:30pm-7:30pm
26 December, Wednesday
6:30pm-8:00pm
27 December, Thursday
6:00pm-7:00pm
28 December, Friday
29 December, Saturday
12:00pm-1:00pm
1:00pm-7:00pm
30 December, Sunday
10:00am-11:00am
11:00am-12:00pm
11:00am-12:00pm
1:00pm-3:00pm
Hindu Class
Sage Yoga School Teacher Training
Little Rock Folk Club (Thomson)
Recycle Sunday and Book Exchange (Thomson)
Adult Programming
Children and Youth Programming
Worship (Sanctuary)
Vegetarian Potluck (Thomson)
YoUUth Group
Exploring UU Class
Urantia Study Group
Kiwanis Club of Pulaski Heights Banquet
Between the Lines Book Club (Pehrson)
Membership Meeting
Choctaw Crawdads (Thomson Hall)
Ark. Coalition to Abolish Death Penalty
Choir Rehearsal
Program Council Sub-Meeting
Prison Literacy (Offsite)
Small Group Dinners (off site)
Hindu Class
Sage Yoga School Teacher Training
Drumming Circle
Adult Programming
Children and Youth Programming
Worship (Sanctuary)
YoUUth Group
Sage Yoga School Teacher Training
League of Women Voters Pulaski County (Pehrson)
Young at Heart Luncheon (Thomson)
Daytime Covenant Group (Emerson)
Program Council (Thomson)
Stewardship/Finance Meeting (Thomson)
Choir Rehearsal
Worship Arts Meeting
Prison Literacy (off site)
OUTER CIRCLE DEADLINE
Hindu Class
Sage Yoga School Teacher Training
IllUUmination Banquet
Adult Programming
Children and Youth Programming
Worship - Festival of Light (Sanctuary)
YoUUth Group
Urantia Study Group
Our House Meal Day (Our House)
Choctaw Crawdads (Thomson Hall)
Strategic planning (Pehrson)
Choir Rehearsal
Prison Literacy (off site)
Communications Team Meeting
Hindu Class
Sage Yoga School Teacher Training
Adult Programming
Children and Youth Programming
Worship (Sanctuary)
YoUUth Group
Christmas Eve Service
Choir Rehearsal
Earth Ministry Meeting
Prison Literacy (off site)
Hindu Class
Sage Yoga School Teacher Training
Adult Programming
Children and Youth Programming
Worship (Sanctuary)
YoUUth Group
page 5
CAYRE Liaison Needed
Share the Plate
Collections that are taken
during services on the
upcoming Second Sunday in
November will go to Our House
Program
CAYRE is still looking for a Liaison to the Program
Council. The Liaison advocates for the Children
and Youth RE program, meets regularly with the
DRE, and attends monthly Program Council
meetings on the second Tuesday of every month.
Our House provides the working homeless
(both individuals and families) with shelter, housing,
job training, education, free childcare and summer
youth programs. They help to equip them with the
skills to be successful in the workforce, the
community and their own families.
There is no teaching involved, so this is a great
opportunity for someone who wants to have an
impact through CAYRE, but does not necessarily
want to teach.
Upcoming Second Sunday Recipients
January
UUCLR Prison Literacy
Contact the DRE, Rachel Finley, at
[email protected] if you think this ministry would
be a good fit for you!
Recycle News
Recycle Sunday/Book Exchange
On Sunday, December 2, bring your books and magazines to share with other readers and your empty ink
cartridges, used batteries, old electronic devices and CFL and fluorescent tube light bulbs. The Recycle
Team will responsibly dispose of these items.
Bring your aluminum cans to church every Sunday and the cans will be recycled by Lance Scott. Lance is
also expanding his efforts by offering to recycle of all types of other scrap metals. Please call Lance to
schedule pickups with his trailer; don’t leave scrap metal at the church, just cans. All money will come
back to the church! Lance’s phone number is 766-4172.
LED Lights for the Holidays
LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, are a form of solid-state lighting that is extremely efficient and long-lasting. While
incandescent and fluorescent lights consist of filaments in glass bulbs or bulbs that contain gases, LEDs consist of
small capsules or lenses in which tiny chips are placed on heat-conducting material.
Because LEDs give off light in a specific direction, they are more efficient in application than incandescent and
fluorescent bulbs, which waste energy by emitting light in all directions.
The life of a high-power white LED is projected to be from 35,000 to 50,000 hours, compared to 750 to 2,000 hours
for an incandescent bulb, 8,000 to 10,000 hours for a compact fluorescent and 20,000 to 30,000 hours for a linear
fluorescent bulb.
Conventional light bulbs waste most of their energy as heat. For example, an incandescent bulb gives off 90 percent
of its energy as heat, while a compact fluorescent bulb wastes 80 percent as heat. LEDs remain cool. In addition,
since they contain no glass components, they are not vulnerable to vibration or breakage like conventional bulbs.
Poorly designed LEDs may not be long-lasting or efficient, but LEDs that are EnergyStar-qualified should provide
stable light output over their projected lifetime.
Although their initial cost is higher, the long life and energy efficiency of LED lights should be an incentive to switch
over this season. It’s good for the environment!
page 6
Living Her Beliefs
If you don’t know Ruth
Bell, you probably should.
She’s one of the early
members of our church. In
fact, Ruth’s membership
predates the existence of
UUCLR as many of us
know it: Ruth was a
member of the Unitarian
Fellowship of Little Rock
back in 1960, when the
Fellowship was a small
Ruth Bell
group that gathered in the
basement of the American Legion building.
Ruth has a history of civic involvement that
stretches back to her membership in the Women’s
Emergency Committee. These days, she spends
most of her time working with the League of
Women Voters—of which she has been a member
for over 50 years—as Action Chair, observing the
Little Rock Planning Commission, advising them,
and advocating for the positions of the League. In
her early days with them, the League was primarily
concerned with election laws, voter registration,
and voter access. Among other things, the League
helped bring voting machines to Little Rock,
replacing cumbersome paper ballots with simple,
accessible machines. Today, Ruth devotes most of
her time and energy to defending the Maumelle
watershed. Along with the Neighborhood
Connections, the Sierra Club, and the Audubon
Society, the League of Women Voters works hard
to preserve this threatened precious resource.
Ruth Bell aptly, if jokingly, describes herself as a
“professional volunteer.” Her devotion to her
community and to making the world a better place,
one piece at a time, through her tireless volunteer
work, truly makes Ruth a source of inspiration.
If you haven’t met Ruth, take a moment to
introduce yourself when you see her at church.
Interested in a Dream Group?
Anyone interested in exploring their dreams in a
small supportive group is welcome to contact
Rev. Bob for information about beginning and
participating in a Dream Group.
UUCLR Members in Community
Orchestra
Performance
UALR Community Orchestra
will present their free Winter
Concert at Stella Boyle Smith
Concert Hall, UALR campus on
Tuesday, December 18 at 7:30
pm. Please come here your UUCLR pals, Nell
Matthews, Chris Thomson and Linda VanBlaricom
perform.
Outer Circle by Mail
If you would like a hard copy of The Outer Circle
delivered to you by mail, please contact the church
office at 501-225-1503 or [email protected]. If you
attend church regularly, please help us save on
postage by picking up a hard copy of the Outer
Circle in Thompson Hall. Notice of the electronic
version’s availability is posted to the weekly e-mail
list, and it is always available from the UUCLR web
site at www.uuclr.org/about/about_comm.htm.
Kroger Cards Have Changed
This is important because UUCLR receives 5% of
the purchases you make using their new “Kroger
Loyalty Card.”
At Kroger’s customer service desk, sign up for a
Kroger Loyalty Card. In a couple of days (they
have to get it in the system) go to the Kroger
website to set up an account with your card
number . You will receive an e-mail to activate the
account.
Then you have to set up the web site account to
give the benefits to UUCLR.
In your online
account, go to “Community Rewards.” Search for
UUCLR’s number 80317.
Select Unitarian
Universalist 2 of Little Rock and save your
changes. When you shop at Kroger use the
Loyalty Card and UUCLR will receive 5% of your
total purchases.
Once you set this up, you won’t have to change it
again. We benefit so much from this program!
For more detailed instructions, visit the UUCLR
web site at www.uuclr.org.
page 7
Unitarian Universalist Church of Little Rock
1818 Reservoir Road
Little Rock, Arkansas 72227
Phone: (501)225-1503
http://www.uuclr.org
Outer Circle Policy: The Church Office reserves the right to edit all Outer Circle articles for content
and length. Deadline for publication usually falls on the 15th of the month unless holiday
considerations apply. No articles will be accepted by telephone or verbally. Articles must be
submitted in writing in the church office by fax (423-6666) or via e-mail ([email protected]) by 5:00
p.m. on the deadline date. Any articles received after the deadline may be omitted due to limitations of
time and printable space.
Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly
hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home. Edith Sitwell