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Daylight Savings Time on March 13. Spring Ahead and set your clock forward 1 hour!
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What's Happening: News and Events
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Visit the Calendar.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Fellowship is 2009 UUSC Honor Congregation
The UU Fellowship of Southern Maryland became a UUSC Honor Congregation for at least the sixth consecutive year. (We're still looking for records before 2004.) The UU Service Committee honors congregations where more than a quarter of the members contribute to UUSC. In 2009, two-thirds of Fellowship members were members of UUSC. We also donated $775 as individuals to "Guest at Your Table" project. Way to go, UUFSMers!
Year
Honor Level
% of Members 2009 Vision of Justice Society 66 % 2008* Spirit of Justice Society >75 % 2007 Vision of Justice Society 50 % 2006 Vision of Justice Society 50 % 2005 Vision of Justice Society 50 % 2004 Creating Justice Society > 25 % * In 2008, we were one of five congregations in the country to become part of the Helen Fogg Society, made up of congregations who donate $25 per member to UUSC.
UUFSM Moves in to New Home!
Here is the latest (March 7) on the UUFSM move.- Many thanks to Jim and Corinne for delivering the new cabinets to the school on Sunday morning.
- And many delighted thanks to Tammy and her husband for personally delivering the contents of the old cabinet right after the service! (Apparently, demolition of the caved-in area in the Loffler Center will start this week.) We'll be sending them a card and a gift certificate to use at a local restaurant.
- Many thanks to all who stayed after the service and helped unpack during our surprise move-in day for the Fellowship. We'll be reviewing what's in the cabinets, maybe getting rid of some things, and seeing how it all can fit.
- Thanks to Alan for getting our new keyboard and to all who helped assemble it. We look forward to hearing lovely music from it at a service soon!
- Thanks to Missy for the beautiful laminated signs. They'll look great on the door and stand up to weather.
- Kudos to all who've been patient and understanding as we muddled our way through these last few weeks.
- Michael had mentioned the cave-in in the CUUMA announcements (regular updates ministers share with each other), and as news of it spread we received good wishes and concerned calls. The District Executive, Richard Speck, called to see how we were doing, and Rev. Russ Savage sent us a nice note. Many thanks to all, and we're happy to be able to say, "We're doing well!"
Sadly, just before the service today, our original chalice fell to the floor and broke. We're going to try to repair it. There's probably a lesson there about letting go of parts of the past, mending what you have, and continuing on. So that's what we're doing.
On Sunday, March 14, we'll be starting our canvass for next year, with a service about Gifts and a chance to try "Speed Dating with Committees". Who do you want to get involved with? Or are you looking for a short-term relationship? Perhaps you're willing to chance a blind date with something completely new? Come and learn about our seven committees and what they do, and then decide what activities and tasks you're interested in.
Earlier Information about the Move
- The roof caved in at the Loffler Center on February 10 due to snow. The following Sunday we met at the hall of Fame in the middle of the softball fields, and then we moved to the cafeteria of the Chesapeake Charter School (20945 Great Mills Road, about 2 miles from where we used to be). On February 28, we signed a contract with the Chesapeake Charter School until the end of June. We have access to the cafeteria, the teachers' lounge, the library, the kitchen, and the playground from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We are paying $150 a week. (We were paying $210 a week at the Loffler Center).- The piano at the school is in bad shape (out of tune, sticking keys, lots of mildew inside the cabinet on the felted hammers) and so Marianna, Alan, Corinne, and Randy found us an electronic keyboard whose keys feel like a piano. We may be having a fundraiser to help pay for this.- The school is interested in having us work with them on their landscaping, and so we will probably have that as monthly charity to help pay for the supplies and then start a gardening project as the weather warms.- We are still working on the best way to use the space for worship, so you may see a variety of seating arrangements in the next few weeks as we settle in. If you have ideas for that, please talk to Michael, James, or Liz.See you at the school for church!JaneenMichael Relland to be with UUFSM next year
On Sunday, February 21, the Board voted unanimously to renew Michael Relland's contract as consulting minister for the 2010-2011 church year. We appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions for Michael. Our Worship Associates, the Board, and MIchael will be coordinating our services, our Chalice Circles, and our Religious Education options to help make sure our Fellowship has something to offer for each of us.
Starting in March, we'll be offering
- a discussion group for articles from UU World magazine on the first Sunday of the month from noon to 1.
- Paganism 101 after the services (read other articles in this newsletter or contact Corinne for more information)
- a support group from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the first and third Sundays (contact Michael)
- a Chalice Circle on a Thursday evening once a month (contact Liz)
- our monthly Agape Service on the last Sunday of the month
- and, of course, our regular Sunday worship services and Sunday school.
UUSC donations for Haiti fund near $1 Million
From UU World by Donald Skinner
"Unitarian Universalists have contributed almost $1 million to a relief fund created by the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and the Unitarian Universalist Association to help victims of the January 12 earthquake in Haiti. As of February 15, the UUSC had processed donations of $988,369.... Martha Thompson, the UUSC’s program manager for Rights in Humanitarian Crises, went to Haiti on February 5 on an eight-day assessment mission to determine how the UUSC can best respond to long-term needs. The UUSC is working in partnership with several groups involved in Haiti, including the Papaye Peasant Movement and the Lambi Fund of Haiti.
"The Papaye Peasant Movement is helping people leave damaged areas, running a shelter, and providing food to survivors. The Lambi Fund is supporting rural groups that are in turn supporting groups of quake survivors from the city. The UUSC is also working with ActionAid USA to coordinate supplies for two grassroots groups, Platform of Community Organizations of the Port-au-Prince Metropolitan Zone, and Regional Coordination of Southeast Organizations.
"The 7.0-magnitude earthquake, centered near Port-au-Prince on January 12 killed at least 212,000 people, injured more than 300,000, and left a million people homeless."
Read more at http://www.uuworld.org/news/articles/158306.shtml?n
UUFSM will be collecting for this fund during its Sunday Services in February. Let's help bring the total to $1 million!
You can also donate online at UUSC
Make our Fellowship Happen
The Nominating Committee is looking for candidates. In June 2010, we will elect
- 2 members of the Nominating Committee (2 year term)
- 1 Secretary of the Board
- 3 members-at-large for the Board
We would also like to have recommendations for Team Leaders and the names of people who are willing to organize various activities. The Nominating Committee will send its recommendations to the Board before May 16, and we will vote on the candidates at the annual meeting on 6 June 2010.
Our Fellowship happens only when we all make it happen; please get involved today!
New Moon Rising group Learns about Spinning Thread
On Saturday, February 13th, members of the New Moon Rising worship group met at Janeen's house in Callaway to try their hand at creating thread. After an opening ritual, we carded some wool then tried using a drop spindle to turn it into yarn. We all decided that more practice is definitely called for! We also looked at a warp-weighted loom and learned a bit about ancient weaving technology. The meeting ended with oat cakes and cups of tea in the kitchen.
In March, the group plans to dye eggs with natural colors and materials. Save those onion skins!
"Let the Choice Be Mine" booklets are available
The booklets, "Let the Choice be Mine," have arrived. They will be available at Sunday services. If you've prepaid, just pick up the envelope with your name on it. If you still owe money, please pick up your booklet and give the money (cash or check) to Carl. The cost is $6.00 per copy.
We also have some extra copies available, so you can pick up a copy and pay Carl.
Paganism 101 class
Paganism 101 is an experiential curriculum that will enable participants to conduct Pagan rituals on their own as independent practitioners. It introduces the practices, beliefs, and history of Modern Pagan spirituality, a nature-based worldview that is deeply rooted in Western Esoteric traditions. It is an active and powerful way to engage with Unitariansm's Sixth Source -- Spiritual Teachings of Earth-centered Traditions that Celebrate the Sacred Circle of Life and Instruct us to Live in Harmony with the Rhythms of Nature. Cost will be $10 dollars to cover books and supplies. Contact Corinne Stubbs if you are interested in attending.
Among Ourselves - News of UUFSMers
- A belated congratulations for newlyweds Nancy Gould and Dave Williams! They were married in October and honeymooned in Washington State.
- Ryan Grohsmeyer will be home from Alfred University from March 8 to 13 for spring break. He won't make any Sunday services, but you can give him a call or come to the St. Patrick's Day Party on March 12 at the Grohsmeyers' home to say hi.
- Mary Lou Grote, a long-time friend of UUFSM, passed away in the third week of February. Our heart-felt condolences go to her husband, Dick Grote, and their family.
- Congratulations to Megan Triplett, whose project on "Mining Asteroids" earned first prize in the engineering category at the St. Mary's County Science Fair on February 20th.
- Missy Fallabel will be performing in "The Vagina Monologues" by Eve Ensler on the last weekend in February. The College of Southern Maryland and New Direction Community Theater are presenting the play on Friday, Feb. 26th at 8pm at the Prince Frederick Campus, on Saturday Feb 27th at 2 pm at the Leonardtown Campus, and on Sunday, Feb. 28th at 2 pm at the La Plata Campus. More information can be found at http://www.csmd.edu/FineArts/.
New Chalice Circle forming
A few of us are planning to start a new UUFSM Chalice Circle that will meet one Thursday evening each month at members' homes. The optimal number is 8 - 10 people, so there's room for more! If you are interested in joining us or would like more information, please call Liz Crosby.
