UUAA January 2016 Newsletter
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JanuaryNewsletter
January1,2016-Vol1,Issue1
CongregationalLinks
WeavingWorship
Dr.GlenThomasRideout,Dir.ofWorship&Music
UUAALinks:
Makea2016Pledge
CalendarofEvents
SocialJusticeatUUAA
UUAA.org
OtherLinks:
MidAmericauua.org
StandingontheSideofLove
UUA.org
SundayWorship|9:30am&11:30am
"Whenthesongoftheangelsisstilled,
TheworkofChristmasbegins..."
fromWhentheSongoftheAngelsIsStilled
(HowardThurman)
Ourcalendarcallsustohelpgrowanewyear.
Letustendwithcare.
Newhandsweavewiderour150-year-oldcircle.
Newcovenantswaitinlastyear'slearning.
Newpilgrimagewalksontheedgeoftheancestors'
path.
Newbalancewhisperswisdominthewindjustbehind.
InJanuary'sworship,wemindthepracticeof
generations.
Allofyouiswelcomehere,aswegatheronceagain.
January3,2016
Worship:9:30am&11:30am
Generations|LettingGo.
BringingIn.
"[Revere]thepast,but[trust]
thedawningfuturemore..."
fromAsTranquilStreams(Marion
FranklinHam)
Whatfreshwisdomcanwe
harvestfromoldstories?
What'slefttoprune?
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January10,2016
Worship:9:30am&11:30am
Generations|TheNecessaryTools
AnnualServiceofRemembrance
RecognitionofNewMembers
"Weareourgrandmothers'prayers.Weareour
grandfathers'dreamings.
Wearethebreathofourancestors.Wearethespiritof
God,"
fromWeAre...(Dr.YsayeM.Barnwell)
Westandontheshouldersofthosenowgone.
Weliftupthegenerationsofourcommunityjustcome.
January17,2016
Worship:9:30am&11:30am
Generations|SeedsfortheSowing,LayinginStore
"Fromthedreamsofyouthfulvisioncomesanew,
propheticvoice,
Whichdemandsadeeperjustice,builtbyour
courageouschoice."
fromTheFireofCommitment(MaryKatherineMorn)
Eachnewgenerationbringsnewtoolsfortheworkof
socialjustice.
Whatdowehavetooffertheseburgeoning
movements?
Whatcanwelearn?
Howdowetendtheworktogether?
January24,2016
Worship:9:30am&11:30am
Generations|TheVillageItTakes
"Witnessthemysteryofthishour."
fromGathertheSpirit(JimScott)
Manyweeksoflovemoldeachminuteofworship.
Achorusofcaresingsthecleancoffeecupintoyour
hand.
Exploringthehumanmiracle
ofoneSundaymorning
broughttolife.
January31,2016
Worship:9:30am&11:30am
CongregationalMeeting:1:00pm
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Generations|YesterdayTeachesTomorrow
"Wheredowecomefrom?Whatarewe?Wherearewe
going?"
fromWhereDoWeComeFrom?(PaulGaugin)
Whatdoesittaketoconjurenewlife?
Eve'sancientapple,
Theage-oldartofonemoremeeting,
andothercreationstories.
Gleanings
Re6lectionsfromRev.GailR.Geisenhainer,SeniorMinister
DearOnes,All,
HappyNewYeartoAll...,andareminder.AsaDinalgesture
ofgoodwillin2015,weareinvitedtomakedonationsto
theUUAAMinister'sDiscretionaryFund.Thismakesit
possibleforyourministerstorespondtofolksinneedand
tocapturetheenergyofemergentministries.Thankyou,
All,foryourgenerosity.
************
Inthecrushingmadnessofournationaldiscourse...,how
toDindhope?TheParisClimatetalkshaveadjourned.How
tocelebratewhatiswrittenwhileknowingitisnotgoingtochangeenoughfast
enoughorthoroughlyenough?
Icommendtoyoutheworkoftheincomparablebellhooks.Ihavedrawnhopefrom
herinsightsfordecades.Hersisavoicestrongenoughtobeinthestruggleforthelong
haul.Anyofherbookswoulddo...,andthereisarecentinterview.
December10,2015Bellhooks:Buddhism,theBeatsandLovingBlackness,byGeorge
Yancyandbellhooks.Hereisalinktothefullinterview.
Hereareexcerpts-withmyresponses:
"growin(your)willingnesstoopen(your)minds...,"
Unlesswecanenterintorealparadigmchanges..,nothingchanges!
"theonlywayoutofdominationislove...,"
Ourdominantparadigmispowerexercisedaspower-oversomeoneorsomething
else.Humanpower-overanimalsandtheearth.Whitepoweroverblack.Male
power-overfemale.Ourmassivemilitarypresenceintheworldisallbuiltonthe
horrendouslyimpotentnotionthatpoweroverothersensuressafetyforus.Just
nottrue.Loveandmutualconcernofferadifferentparadigmforpower.
"Ican'tthinkofanotherwaytoimaginehowwe'regoingtogetoutofthecrisisof
racialhatredifit'snotthroughthewilltohumanize."
MartinBuberwasright,"I-Thou"bringsusclosertoouraspirationsthan"I-It"can
everprovide.Butittakeswill.Canwemusterthe"willtohumanize"eventhose
whofrightenus?
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"wecannothaveameaningfulrevolutionwithouthumor."
Blessedarethejokemakersandjoketellers,jesters,clowns,andself-depreciating
funnypeople,fortheyshallempowerarevolutionworthgettingoutofbedto
enjoin.
"WhatareyoudoingforthecreationoftheBelovedCommunity?"
Eachday,witheachofourdecisions,ourwords,ourresponses.,wecanmove
towardcreatinganewparadigm.Whatisyourcontribution?
Amongthemanypurposesofreligiouscommunityistheencouragementofone
anothertoDindourgiftsandbringthemtothealtarofhumanity.Whatcanwedoto
aidthecreationoftheBelovedCommunity?
Igotochurchtorealizethatanswer.Seeyouthere!
MyLovetoeach,
Rev.Gail
UponRe6lection
LindasusanUlrich,AssistantMinister
In1648,65congregationsinNewEnglandratiDiedwhat's
knownastheCambridgePlatform,thedocumentthat
providesthebasisforhowUnitarianUniversalistsgovern
ourselvestoday.Amongitsmanyprovisions,theCambridge
Platformrecognizestherightofchurchestocallandordain
theirownministers.
Of,icersaretobecalledbysuchchurcheswhereuntothey
aretominister.Ofsuchmomentisthepreservationofthis
power,thatthechurches[mentionedinChristian
scriptures]exerciseditinthepresenceoftheapostles....
Ordinationthereforeisnottogobefore,buttofollow
election.Theessenceandsubstanceoftheoutwardcallingofanordinaryof,icerin
thechurch,dothnotconsistinhisordination,butinhisvoluntaryandfreeelection
bythechurch,andinhisacceptingofthatelection;whereuponisfoundedthat
relationbetweenpastorand,lock,betweensuchaministerandsuchapeople.
Originally,ministerswereordainedsolelytothecongregationtheyserved.Ifyouhad
tomoveelsewhere,theordinationwouldn'ttravelwithyou.Whilethatpracticehas
shiftedovertime-ashastheuseofthewildlyinsufDicientpronoun"his"-there'sstill
somethingpowerfulinthemutualshapingthattakesplacewhenacongregation
ordainsaministercurrentlyamongthem.
AttheendofJanuary,themembersofUUAAwillhaveanopportunitytovoteon
whethertoordainmetotheUnitarianUniversalistministry.Astheexcerptabove
highlights,themostimportantpieceofthatentireprocessrestsinyourhands:itisthe
people'sconsenttohavesomeonelikemeserveasoneofyourministersthat
ultimatelytransformsthepersonintoaReverend.
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Asaqueermulticulturalwomanwhosespiritualityresidesprimarilyintheartsand
earth-centeredpractices,Idon'ttakethatpowerforgranted.Thereareplentyof
peoplewhowouldnotconsenttohavemeastheirminister(including,asRev.Dr.
SusanRitchielikestonote,manyofourUnitarianandUniversalistforebears).BeforeI
joinedaUUcongregation,religiousleadershipneverevenoccurredtomeasan
availablepath.Whatagifttohavefoundthistradition.Andthiscongregation.
Myhopeisthattheparticularityoftherelationship"betweensuchaministerandsuch
apeople"willhelpallofusgrowmoredeeplyrootedinthisplaceandthistime,
groundingusfortheworkahead
Peace,
Lindasusan
BoardofTrusteeNews
President'sMessage
BethHospadaruk,BoardPresident
HappyNewYear!2016,Icanhardlybelieveit.Withanearly
submissiondeadline,Igladlywritethisarticleaheadoftime,
onemoreitemoffmyto-dolist.Butitiswithgreathopefor
theNewYearthatisonmymind."Howcanthatbe?"you
mightask.WiththenewsDilleddailywithwordsofhateand
discriminationtowardourfellowhumans,violencescattered
allaroundus,howcanIfeelhope?I'lltellyou!Ifeelhope
whenIthinkofourfaith.IfeelhopewhenIreadaboutthe
goodworkfrommembersofourdenominationonthe
StandingontheSideofLoveFacebookpage.IfeelhopewhenI
listentothebeautifulvoicesofourchoir.IfeelhopewhenIam
inspiredbyawell-writtenpoemorsermon.IfeelhopewhenI
amremindedofallthevolunteersofthiscongregationwhoAREthechangetheywant
toseeintheworld.IfeelhopewhenIlookintothefacesofouryouth.Hopeisall
aroundus,wejusthavetoopenoureyestoseeit.Wecanchoosetoignoreit,buthope
iseverywhere.WheredoyouDindhope?
YourBoardofTrusteeshopesyouwillbepresentonJanuary31atourwinter
CongregationalMeeting.Wehavemuchtocelebrate,muchtoshare,andmuchtovote
on;yourvoicematters.Theproposedbylawchangesarepostedonourwebsiteand
willalsobee-mailedoutonJanuary6,priortoourinformationalmeetingonJanuary
10.Ifyouareinterestedinbylaws,studythem;comeonJanuary10withyour
questions.Wewillalsobevotingontheproposedcapitalexpendituresforournew
parkinglot.Pleaseseedetailselsewhereinthisnewsletteraswellasintheweekly
bulletinandmarkyourcalendarsnow.
IpersonallywanttothankeveryonewhomadeaDinancialpledgefor2016.Ifyouhave
notyetmadeone,thereisstilltime.Also,thankyoutoallwhohavefulDilledtheir
2015pledge.Ifyouarealastminutepayer,rememberthatyoucanmailitinand,as
longastheenvelopeispostmarkedbyDecember31,2015,yourtaxdeductionissafe.
ThebuildingwillbeclosedfromSunday,December27at4:00pmuntilSunday,January
3at8:30am.
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BewellfriendsandIhopetoseeyouinchurch,
BethHospadaruk
2015-2016BoardPresident
[email protected]
CongregationalMeeting
ACongregationalMeetingwillbeheldintheSanctuaryshortlyafterthesecond
Service.Allarewarmlyencouragedtoattend.
SeveralCongregationalvotesareontheagenda.Thevotesrelatetoa
capitalexpenditurefortherebuildingoftheparkinglot,proposed
by-lawchanges,aCongregationalapplicationtotheUUAAccessibility
andInclusionMinistry(AIM)programforanAIMcertiDication,and
supportfortheordinationofAssistantMinisterLindasusanUlrich.The
agendaalsoincludespresentationsaboutthe2016approvedbalanced
budgetandtheBoardofTrusteeWorkPlan,updatesfromthe
LeadershipDevelopmentTeam,theAccessibilityTeam,andtheComprehensive
Campaignco-chairs,andperhapsmore.
TherewillbeaninformationQ&AsessionabouttheproposedBy-lawchangesheld
onSunday,January10,2016,afterbothServices.WatchforanemailonWednesday,
January6formoreinformationabouttheCongregationalMeetingandsomerelated
documentstoreview.Followthislinktoaccessmaterialsforthemeeting.Hard-copy
versionsofthedocumentswillbeavailableforreviewintheSunderlandLibraryand
ontheInvolvementTableduringSocialHours.Questions?ContactBoardPresident
[email protected].
SpiritualGrowthandDevelopmentNews
ProgramNotes
AaronGibson,ProgramsCoordinator
Thankfulfor2015,LookingForwardto2016
Withnearly300youth,and100volunteerssignedupin2015,the
SpiritualGrowth&Development(SGD)programcontinuestobea
vitalpartoftheUUAAcommunity,andthatIamhonoredtowork
withsuchanamazinggroupofindividuals.
ThereareplentyofeventstohighlightthathappenedtheDirsthalfof
theSGDprogramyear.6thGradestudentslearnedfromandvisited
variousreligioushousesofworshipincludingthatofBuddhist,
Taoist,Jewish,andNativeAmericanbackground.The7thGradeTeam-Buildingclass
invitedtheirguardianstoattenda"FoodStampDiet"potluck,andraisedjustunder
$2600intheFoodGatherersRockin'fortheHungrycampaign.
9thGradeComingofAgestudentsvolunteeredfortheirDirstservicetripwiththeir
mentorstocleanupGallupPark.TheyalsoorganizedtheGivingTreecollectionfor
familiesofAlphaHouse.YRUUsoldoutalloftheirappledumplingsandwereableto
buyallsortsofpresentsforchildrenfortheholidayseason.
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IamdeDinitelylookingforwardtowhat2016hasinstorefortheprogram.
Thankseveryone,
AaronGibson,ProgramsCoordinator
ActivitiesandEvents
QUUestBookstore*Sunday,January3
QUUestBookstorewillonlyopenbetweenservicesstartingonSunday,January3.This
willenablebookstorestafftoparticipateinCongregationalactivitiesthatoftenbegin
soonafterthecloseofthesecondService.Questions?ContactLuciaHeinoldat
[email protected].
ChallengingRacism*Sunday,January3
JointheDirstdrop-indiscussionsaboutraceintheYoungRoomat
12:45pm.Therewillbenorequiredreading.Itwillbeanopen
conversationaboutexperienceswearingtheBlackLivesMatterbuttonand
otherconcernsinasafeUUspace.Questions?ContactLuciaHeinoldat
[email protected].
SeniorDinner*Wednesday,January6
MeetattheGourmetGardenforamonthlydinnerandfellowshipat6:00pm.Cometo
meetorrenewfriendshipsamongtheseniormembership.Questions?ContactMarie
[email protected].
InterweavePotluck&FilmNight*Friday,January8
Interweavewillhostapotluckat6:00pmintheFahsChapel.TheDilmOut
intheNightwillbeginat7:00pmfollowedbyadiscussion.Allare
welcome.Bringanutfreedishtoshare.
AbouttheDilm:In2006,undertheneonlightsofagay-friendly
neighborhoodinNewYorkCity,agroupofAfrican-Americanlesbianswereviolently
threatenedbyamanonthestreet.Thewomenfoughtbackandwerelatercharged
withgangassaultandattemptedmurder.Thetabloidsquicklydubbedthemagangof
"KillerLesbians"anda"WolfPack."Threepleadedguiltytoavoidatrial,butthe
remainingfourmaintainedtheirinnocence.Thisaward-winningDilmexaminesthe
sensationalcaseandthewomen'suphillbattle,revealingtherolethatrace,gender
identity,andsexualityplayinthecriminaljusticesystem.
"Thisimpassionedsocialdocumentaryservesasa
strongindictmentoftabloidjournalismanda
prejudiciallegalsystem,"TheHollywoodReporter.
"OutintheNightasks,'Ifyouareblack,female,and
alesbian,willyougetafairshakeinthejustice
system?'FilmmakerDorosh-Waltherputstogether
amovingDilmthatsmartlymakesthispersonal
questionuniversal,"TheExaminer.
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"ThisDilmcouldhelpinDluencetheongoingLGBTcivilrightsstruggle.Everyoneshould
seeit,"RogerEbert.
[email protected].
Q&AInformationSession*Sunday,January10
AllarewelcometojoininaninformationQ&Asessionaboutthe
proposedBy-lawchangestobeheldafterbothServices.Memberswillbe
askedtovoteontheBy-lawrevisionsattheCongregationalMeetingon
Sunday,January31.
WatchforanemailonWednesday,January6formoreinformationabout
theCongregationalMeetingandsomerelateddocumentstoreview.Followthislinkto
accessmaterialsforthemeeting.Hard-copyversionsofthedocumentswillbe
availableforreviewintheSunderlandLibraryandontheInvolvementTableduring
SocialHours.Questions?ContactBoardPresidentBethHospadarukat
[email protected].
GuestAtYourTableEnds*Sunday,January10
GuestatYourTableisanannualfundraisingandeducationprogramthatsupports
UnitarianUniversalistServiceCommittee's(UUSC)humanrightswork.Thisyear
GuestatYourTablehighlightstheempowermentofrefugeesanddisplacedpeople.
TheGAYTcollectionboxeswillendonSunday,January10,2016.
Ratherthanturningincash,makeoutacheckfortheamountraisedto
UUSCandturnitinattheGAYTSocialHourtable.Tobecomeamember
oftheUUSC,visittheGAYTtableduringSocialHallsorgototheUUSC
websiteformoreinformation.
[email protected].
MLKParade*Sunday,January10
ReverendGailGiesenhainerandGlenThomasRideout,DirectorofMusic&Worship,
havechallengedUUAAtoparticipateintheAnnual2ndBaptistChurchMLK(Martin
LutherKing)Parade.MeetinfrontoftheWashtenawCountyCourthouselocatedat
200NMainStinAnnArborat2:00pm.Thegroupwillmarchtothechurch,locatedat
[email protected].
ImmigrationActionCommittee(IAC)*Saturday,January16
SupportSyrianRefugees
TheImmigrationActionCoalitionisworkingtogetherwithJewishFamilyServicesof
WashtenawCountytoidentifyrefugeefamiliesresettlinginthelocalcommunitywho
areinneedofhelp.ThereisaSyrianfamilyofsevenonthewaytotheAnnArborarea
andtheywillarriveassoonaspoliticallypossible.
Here'showCongregantscanhelp:
DonateHouseholdGoods:Collectnewandgentlyusedhouseholdgoods,cleaning
supplies,andpersonalhygieneitemstohelprefugeefamiliessetupnewhomes.Pick
upalistofthemostneededitemsattheSocialJusticeTableduringSocialHoursin
January.
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DonateGiftCards:PurchaseagiftcardfromtheScriptTableand
placeitintheRefugeeReliefDonationboxontheSocialJustice
Table.Thecardswillbeusedtopurchaseitemsrefugeefamilies
need.ThepurchaseanddonationofagiftcardwillbeneDitboth
refugeefamiliesandthisCongregation.
Volunteer:AttendameetingoftheIACtoDindoutmore.TheIACmeetsthethird
Saturdayofeachmonthfrom10:00amto11:30amintheJacksonChapel.
[email protected].
IntroToOuurFaithWorkshop*Saturday,January,23
AnintroductiontoUnitarianUniversalism(UU)forboth
newcomersandlong-timememberswillbeheldfrom
10:00amto2:30pm.ReverendGailGeisenhainerwillcoverthe
historyofUnitarianUniversalismandthisCongregation,how
thisCongregationisgoverned,howtogetinvolved,the
meaningandresponsibilitiesofmembership,andparticipants'
ownspiritualjourneys.
Toregister,DilloutaregistrationformfoundontheInvolvementTable,LiteratureRack,
orNewcomerWelcomeRoom.Questions?ContactWelcomeMinistriesCoordinator
[email protected].
AccessibilityTeam(AT)*Sunday,January24
AttheSunday,January31CongregationalMeeting,UUAAwillconsiderandvoteonthe
following:
"We,theCongregantsofFirstUnitarianUniversalistCongregationofAnnArbor,
Michigan,instructAccessibilityTeamtoapplyonbehalfofourCongregationtothe
UUAAccessibility&InclusionMinistryprogramforcertiDicationasanAccessible
andInclusiveCongregation."
TheATwasformedin2013underElsNieuwenhuijsen'sleadership.Elswasmotivated
byanewUUAcertiDicationprogramencouragingallUUcongregationstoaddressthe
needsofpeoplewithdisabilities.UUAAbecameoneoftenpilotsiteshelpingto
developthisnationalprogram.
Thirtymonthslater,UUAAhasachievedenoughdisability-relatedprogressthat,by
UUAprogramstandards,theCongregationisreadyforcertiDicationasanAccessible
andInclusiveCongregation.TheSunday,January31voteistosupportthat
certiDication.
TheATaddressedlocalaccessibilityandinclusionneeds,offeredvariededucational
programs,broughtdisabilityawarenessintoworship,createdongoingrelationships
withmanyUUAAorganizations,andcompletedtwosigniDicantsocialjusticeprojects.
Manypeoplehavecontributed.
Someoftheachievementsreachedincludelarge-printordersofservice,appropriate
accessiblesignage,thepurchaseofaportablesoundsystem,additionstotheparking
lotredesignplanswhichincludecutcurbs,andplansformoreexteriorlighting.In
addition,JacksonSocialWelfareFundmadeitsDirstdisability-relatedgrantin2015to
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AnnArborCenterforIndependentLiving.ThisgranthelpedCILtrainnext-generation
activistleadersinmattersofdisability.
TheATisproudofthegoodworkaccomplishedandlooksforwardtothe
Congregationalvote.
On,Sunday,January24from1:00pmto2:00pmintheFahsChapel,allarewelcometo
aninformationaleventthatwillincludeanopportunitytoguideandinDluencefuture
accessibilityworkatUUAA.Questions?ContactPhilTuchinskyat
[email protected].
InterweaveCircleConversation*Sunday,January24
TheMichiganLegislatureisconsideringaseriesofreligiousexemption
laws,the"ReligiousFreedomExemptionAct."Opponentsofmarriage
equalityandLGBTcivilrightsareusing"religiousfreedom"asan
argumenttojustifydiscriminationthroughthisproposedlegislation
HowcanUUs,afaithcommunitythatrespectstheinherentworthand
dignityofeveryperson,respondandengagepeopleonthisissue?
AllarewelcometoadiscussionledbyMarkJagnerintheKemnitzRoomfrom
10:45amto12:[email protected].
CongregationalMeeting*Saturday,January,31
ACongregationalMeetingwillbeheldat1:00pmintheSanctuary.The
agendaincludesavoteonrevisionstotheUUAABylaws,presentationofa
preliminarybudget,andotheritemsofimportancetothedemocratic
decisionmakingforthisCongregation. Followthislinktoaccessmaterials
forthemeeting.Questions?ContactBoardPresidentBethHospadarukat
[email protected].
AnnouncementsandNotices
ClimateActionRally
OnSaturday,December12,2015,dozensofUU'sjoinedwithhundredsoffolksinAnn
ArborforaMichiganClimateMarchandRallyattheDiag.TheClimateActionGroupof
UUAAwasverywellrepresented.ReverendGailGeisenhainerwasoneofthefeatured
speakers.Askedtospeak"asapersonoffaith,"hereareherremarksinfull:
"Ibelievethatalllifeisentwined.Itis
mutuallyinterdependent.
Icannotthrivewhilethebodiesofblack
childrenlieinAmericanstreets.Icannot
prosperwhilepovertystealshopeand
possibilityfromourneighbors.Wecannotbe
safe...,anywhere...,untilallpeoplecanbe
safe.Alllifeisentwined.Alllifeismutually
interdependent.
IbelievetheplanetthatcradlesusisAlive.
Thewell-beingofourplanetismutually
Rev.GailGiesenhainerspeaksatthe
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interdependentwithalllife.AndIbelievethatourplanetisindesperateneedofour
care,indesperateneedofourpassion,indesperateneedofourtenacityandin
desperateneedofourwilltopersevere.
Inourtime,evilsystemsofexploitationandgreedpromotetheliethathoarding
wealthwillsafeguardanyonefromthepotentialdisastersofclimatechange.
Misguidedtheologiesfromcenturiespastencouragetheliethatgreatwealthisasign
ofGod'sfavor..,.whilepovertyrevealsfailedmoralcharacter.
Neverhastherebeenamoreurgentcallforpeopleofgoodwilltoresisttheliesthat
separateusfromoneanother.Neverhastherebeenamoreurgentcallforeachofusto
Dindourwaystojointhisstruggle.
Weneedtochangeeverything.Weneedtochangesocialsystemsthatpromotelies
aboutrace,ethnicity,gender,andthevalueoflife.Weneedtochangeeconomic
systemsthatprivilegegreed,materialism,andthehoardingofwealth.Weneedto
changereligionsthatjustifyhatred,bigotry,violence,andwar. Andifwearegoingto
changeeverything...,itwilltakeeveryone!
Weneedneweconomicsystemstopromotemutualwell-beingforall.Weneedto
learnhowtofeedandshelteroneanother.WeneedtoDindwaystofueltransportation,
light,andwarmthwithoutfossilfuels.
Weneednewtheologiesforthisnewcentury.Weneedtheologiestopromote
kindness,compassion,justice,equity,foralllife.Weneedtheologiestoremindusthat
humanbeingsarenotlordsofpowerovertheearthandallcreatures.Weneed
theologiestoguideusinknowingthereisaninterdependentwebofallexistence,of
whichwehumansareanentwinedpart,notover-lords.
Ourone,fragile,irreplaceableplanetearthneedsnewleaders,newvisionsof
wholeness,tocarryalllifeintodeeperbalance.Weneedtochangeeverythingto
ensurelifecancontinueonourearth.
Andifwearegoingtochangeeverything...,itwilltakeeveryone!
ThenegotiatorsinParis,theleadersoftheworld'sbiggovernmentswillnothavethe
lastword.Thepeoplewillhavethelastword.NothingendswiththeParistalks.We
arenotgoingaway.
Peopleoffaithwillstandinsolidaritywiththosewhosuffertheworstimpactsof
climatechange.
Wewillstandattheedgesoftheredlines.
Wewillstaystandinguntilweliveonajust,sustainable,livableplanetwhereall
communitiesandallecosystemscanthrive.
Theworkisours.Andwecandothiswork.WeareOnePeople.WeareOneEarth.
WehaveOneGoal,ajustandequitablefuturewhereallcanthrive.
WeareOnePeople.
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WeareOneEarth."
ClickheretoseeavideoofRev.GailspeakingattheMichiganClimateMarch.UUAA
memberBobLippertsharedthefootage.
Re6lectiveConversationsTeam(RCT)
TheBigQuestion-WhatareReDlectiveConversations?
HealthyCongregationsrequireeffectivecommunication.The
ReDlectiveConversationsTeam(RCT)wasappointedbythe
BoardofTrustees(BOT)todevelopaprogramtoimprovethe
wayUUAAhearsconcerns.Commentswillbewritten,
analyzed,andsynthesized.DatawillbesharedwiththeBOT,
theappropriatestaff,andwithprogramleaderstoguide
futureimprovements.
TheteamispreparingforreDlection/feedbackgroupdiscussionsforthisprogramyear.
SessionswillfocusonSundayWorship,Music,andChaliceCircles.MembersofUUAA
arepartofthepoolforrandomselection.Inviteesareaskedtorespondandplanto
attend.AttendeeswillbegivenquestionsforreDlectionandaskedtoprovidefeedback
abouttheirpersonalexperiencesregardingthetopicarea.Responseswillhelpin
understandingwhatlifeislikehereatUUAA.
TeammembersFranDew,DixieHibner,BeckyHoort,JimLee,CarolynMadden,Tricia
Mooney,CathyOlson,GinnyPreuss,TheresaRohlck,andErikStalhandskewelcome
discussion.Clickheretolearnmore.
Questions?Contact:[email protected]
[email protected].
ImmigrationActionCommittee(IAC)
TheImmigrationActionCoalition(IAC)learnedmuchduringitsDirstyearasan
organizedsocialjusticegroup.Inordertoopenadialoguewiththelarger
CongregationaboutcurrentimmigrationissuestheIAChostedtwoadulteducational
programs.
TheDirst,Immigration:BothSidesexaminedimmigrationissuesthroughboththeeyes
ofaborderpatrolvigilanteandanimmigrantfamilyfromMexico.Afterwatchinga
shortvideo,KTDoudledparticipantsinadiscussionaboutrespondingtothosewho
holdimmigrationviewsdifferentfromourown.TheSaturday,October18,2015
sessionconcludedthatalthoughit'sgoodtoknowstatisticsthatdispelimmigration
mythssuchas"Theytakeourjobs,theydon'tpaytaxes,theyruintheeconomy,"
personalstoriesareoftenmorecompellingandconvincingthanabstractfactsand
Digures.
Thefollow-upsessionheldonSunday,
November22,2015askedthequestion,"Why
NotJustGetLegal?"Participantsdiscussed
whylegalimmigrationproceduresarenotan
optionformostofthe11million
undocumentedimmigrantslivingintheUS
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today.CesilieMyerscreatedapowerpointillustratingthecomplexitiesofimmigration
lawswhichlimitthenumberofpeoplewhoactuallyqualifyforadmissionthrough
legalmeans.Otherparticipantssharedstoriesabouttheirownexperienceswith
immigrationandthoseoftheirfamiliesandfriends.MelanieHarneroftheWashtenaw
InterfaithCoalitionforImmigrantRights)talkedabouthoweffectivetheIAC'swork
wasinstoppingFredyMencia'sdeportation.Thegroupwasheartenedtohearthatits
politicalactivismonbehalfofFredy-telephonecalls,letters,petitions,andprotestsworked.
Theprogramconcludedbyaskingthequestion,"Whatcanwedoasindividualsandas
agrouptoaffectimmigrationreform?"Amongtheactionsdiscussedwerevotingfor
immigrationfriendlycandidates,becominganurgentresponsevolunteer,and
supportingtheWashtenawIDProject.IACwillcontinuetocollaboratewithother
communityimmigrantrightsgroupstobringopportunitiesforactiontothis
Congregation.
Questions?ContactCherylValentineatcherylnatzmervalentine@gmail.com.
FriendsofRestorativeJustice(FRJ)PrisonMinistry
ComposedofUUAACongregantsandotherfaith-basedcommunities,Friendsof
RestorativeJustice(FRJ)ofWashtenawCountyrecentlypartneredwithHealing
Communities.Thispartnershipwillhelpthecommunityunderstandthecourtsystem
andengageindiscussionwithcountycommissionersandthelegalcommunityto
bringrestorativejusticeprocessestoWashtenawcounty.
FRJwillmeetmonthly,thedateandtimewillbeannounced.Opportunitiesforletter
writingtoprisonersareavailablethroughtheChurchoftheLargerFellowshipofthe
UUA.
AllareencouragedtoseetheplayAToughCasethatwilltaketheviewerona
restorativejusticejourney.ThisplaywillbeheldonWednesday,January6from
6:30pmto8:00pmattheChelseaDistrictLibrarylocatedat221S.MainStreetin
Chelsea.SponsoredbyFRJofWashtenawCounty,ChelseaDistrictLibrary,andother
faith-basedcommunities.
FRJhopestobringAToughCasetoUUAA.Volunteersareneededtotakepartinthe
playaswellastohelporganize.SignupattheSocialJusticetableduringSocialHours.
HelpendmassincarcerationandbringrestorativejusticetoWashtenawCounty.
[email protected].
UnitarianUniversalistServiceCommittee(UUSC)News
Poweredbygrassrootscollaboration,theUUSCisa
humanrightsorganization.Believingthatallpeoplehave
inherentworth,power,andrights,UUSCworksinmore
thanadozencountrieswithpeopleandcommunitieswho
aredeniedtheirrightsbecauseofwhotheyare,andwho
arenotservedbymainstreamhumanrightsorganizations.
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Onelong-termUUSCprojectiscontinuingworksincethe2010earthquakeinHaitito
bolsterurbanagriculture,sustainabledevelopment,andlocalcapacitybuilding.Other
partnershipsaddressspeciDicissuesofmarginalizedpeopleinplaceslikeVanuatu,
Nepal,Myanmar,andBurundi.UUSCisinvolvedintherefugeecrisisandworkingwith
partnersonthegroundtoensurerefugees'rights.
UUSCearnedthehighestpossibleratingfromCharityNavigator,America'slargest
independentevaluatorofnonproDitorganizations.UUSCdoesnotreceivefundingfrom
UUAanddependsonprivatedonations.Join,learnmore,anddonateatuusc.org.
Questions?ContactBeckyHoortfortheUUSCNewsReportersatrhoort@umich.edu.
OneTimeChaliceCircles
JointheupcomingSundayOne-TimeChaliceCircles.LocationwillbeintheJackson
Chapelfrom1:00pmto2:30pm.Datesandtopicswillbe:February7What'sLoveGot
toDoWithIt?,March6,EmpathyandCompassion,April3,InherentWorthandDignity.
RegistrationwillbethetwoSundayspriortoeachsessionduringSocialHoursorat
[email protected]?ContactPatriciaKingat
[email protected].
UnitarianUniversalistsforJusticeintheMiddleEast(UUJME)
BusinessResolutions
Forthepast65years,IsraelhasoccupiedtheWestBank
andGaza.Underthisoccupation,thehumanrightsofthe
Palestinianshavebeensystematicallydenied.Inkeeping
withUnitarianUniversalist(UU)principles,UUJME
assertsthatUUsshouldnotsupportorproDitfromtheseabusesthroughinvestments.
ConsistentwithsimilarproposalsthathavebeenpassedbyQuakers,Methodists,
Presbyterians,andmembersoftheUnitedChurchofChrist.UUJMEwillgather
signaturesonaproposedbusinessresolutioncallingontheUUAtoavoidinvestingin
Divecorporationsthatarecriticallyinvolvedinmaintainingtheoccupationandits
associatedabuses.
TheDivecorporationsareCaterpillar,MotorolaSolutions,HPInc.,HewlettPackard
Enterprise,andG4S.Theresolutiondocumentincludesbriefdescriptionsofthe
occupationactivitiesthesecorporationsenablethatarethereasonsforrecommending
divestmentfromthesecorporations.
BusinessResolutionsareaconcretewayforUUstoalignpersonalactionswithUU
principles.ThelocalUUJMEcommittee,alongwithcounterpartcongregationsacross
thecountry,willgathersignaturesofUUstoassurethatthisbusinessresolutionis
votedonatthe2016GeneralAssembly.VisittheUUJMEtableduringSocialHourto
learnmoreaboutthisissueandsignthisresolution.Questions?ContactAnneGarciaat
[email protected]@yahoo.com.
NewMemberBio's
DarwinandCesilieCordovilla
CesilieisfromSouthernIndiana.ShehasherBAinSpanish
andInternationalStudies.Herhobbiesincludevolunteering,
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vegetariancooking,andplayingwithherpuppy,SucaBella.
DarwinwasbornandraisedinAmbato,Ecuador.HemovedtotheUSin2010whenhe
startedcollege.HeispassionateaboutscientiDicprogressandresearchtobetter
humanity.
GlennHarris
GlennhasbeenattendingUUAAsince2011,thankstohis
now-wife,MicheleDunnum;thetwoweremarriedherein
2012.Asaminister'sson,Glenngrewup,literally,butnot
comfortably,inchurch.GlennisanEnglishprofessoratMott
C.C.inFlint,andisthefatheroftwo20-somethingyoungmen
andstep-son,James,a10thgraderandUUAAmember.Glenn
haslongbeen"Unitarian"inmindandheart,somethinghe
DirstrealizedasadevotedstudentoftheAmericantranscendentalists.Whilenota
"joiner"bynature,helooksforwardtobeingmorefullyapartofthiscommunity.
ChurchOf6iceNews
BuildingHours:
Sundays:8:30am-9:00pm
Mondays-Thursdays:9:00am-9:00pm
Friday:Closed
Saturdays:9:00am-4:00pm
*Note:TheUUAAbuildingwillbeclosedfromSunday,December27,2015at
4:00pmandwillre-openonJanuary3,2016at8:30am.Serviceswillmeet
onSunday,December27andSunday,January3at9:30amand11:30am.
Thestaffandvolunteersgivethanksastheyusethistimetorestoretheir
spirits,andbeenabledtomakeUUAAanevenmorecollaborative,
affordable,sustainable,andexperimentalcommunity.
ChurchOf6icehours:Mondays-Thursdaysfrom9:00am-5:00pm.
Telephone:734-665-6158
Fax:734-665-7895
GeneralEmail:[email protected]
CommunicatingatUUAA:
ThedeadlineforsubmittingUUAAevent,news,andprogramnoticesfor
inclusionintheWeeklyBulletinis5:00pmeachWednesday.Sendsubmissionsto
[email protected].
ThedeadlineforsubmittingUUAAevent,news,andprogramnoticesfor
inclusioninthe2016FebruaryNewsletteris9:00amonThursday,January21.
[email protected].
Layandstaffprogramleadersmaysubmitchanges,additions,orupdatesforthe
website(uuaa.org)[email protected].
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