www.frederickuu.org – July 31, 2011

August Unison Weekly Announcements Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick 4880 Elmer Derr Road Frederick, Maryland 21703 301-473-7680

One Sunday Service – 10am Childcare Available July 31 — "Celebrating Lughnasa" — Lora Powell, DRE A multigenerational worship service as we celebrate the season of first harvest with song and story and even a lesson about bugs.

Only one more lesson remains from "The Kid's Book of Awesome Stuff." Come find out what it means to Live on Speck in a Spinning Spiral! Create your own spiral galaxy flying disc! Learn about Copernicus! Play with shadows outside! Discover how you are a part of everything you see!

And be sure to join Camp UUCF in August as we create a meditation walk/journey around the church grounds

Exciting Fall – Minister’s Musings There is a great deal which we are looking forward to this fall. Among them are: Resuming the Fall Schedule of Religious Education – September 11 Water/Stone Communion and Resuming our Fall Worship Schedule – September 11 50th Anniversary Weekend of UUCF – September 16 and 17 – late Saturday afternoon and Sunday Activities Showcase – Sunday, September 25

Be especially careful to mark your calendar for the Anniversary Celebrations on the 16th and 17th of September. More details will follow. The 50th year of our congregation happens to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the merger which resulted in the Unitarian Universalist Association. We have a great deal for which to be grateful and which we can celebrate!

FAMILIES PLUS This group provides workshops related to marriage and family. A list of future workshops is posted on the bulletin board in the rest rooms. You may also check their website at www.familiesplus.org or call 301-694-9002

STONE OR WATER Many of us have the custom of obtaining a small amount of water from our travels during the summer and bringing that water to UUCF for our Fall Service of Ingathering. This year, you are also welcome to bring a small stone - one which might be used during the part of the year when we use a pebble to place in the water as we share Joys and Sorrows. Stone, water, or both (or none) it’s your choice!

ETHICAL EATING As a part of our concern for the good earth, striving for justice, and respecting the interdependent web of all existence, here is something from “YES! Magazine (Summer, 2011, p. 16) … Number of ingredients in the ‘light cream’ that comes with McDonald’s oatmeal: 7. Number of those ingredients made from dairy: 2.

In contrast, ethical eating is reflected in the work of Michael Polan who suggests, “Eat real food, mostly plants, and not too much.”

ONLINE CLASS “Wounded Words: Building a Vocabulary of Faith” will be offered starting on August 1 and running for four weeks. To learn more about Church of the Larger Fellowship online classes or to sign up for this one go to www.clfuu.org/learn

COURSE IN MIRACLES Anyone interested in this study program is encouraged to contact Rev. Hughes. Check out http://acim.org/ and click on the Archival Site for additional information. Some UU Congregations offer this course as a year-long process.

ANYONE who has a child or children who attend Orchard Grove Elementary School in Frederick, or anyone who teaches there, is asked to contact Rev. Hughes.

Congregational Life

THANKS to Rev. Hughes, the pastoral care associates, our ICUU ("Intentionally Caring UUs") Circle, and the many other friends who have expressed their concern about Eileene. She is in the health care center at Homewood, pending diagnosis of the cause of her insomnia and anxiety condition. No visitors please, but we appreciate your kind thoughts and good wishes. More news when there's something to report. Bill Butler

FRIENDLY FORUM meets each Sunday at 9:00am prior to the 10:00am only service in the Bela Bartok Room (113). Future programs are as follows: July 31 - How to fix our schools - Carl Kruhm

August 7 - Joy Rowe, Director of the Child Advocacy Center of Frederick County, will share the program of that governmental agency. She will show an excellent power-point program to accompany her presentation. There will be opportunity for questions. This agency is presently concerned about its future as funding has been threatened by current County Commissioners.

August 21 - Randy Peterson of Middletown will lead a discussion on the topic, "Why are some people extremely successful?" The usual answer focuses on intelligence and ambition; but in his book Outliers, The Story of Success , bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell argues that "the true story of success is very different."

Mr. Peterson conducted a forum on this topic at the Frederick E&R United Church of Christ. He is Vice President of Information and Technology for World Kitchen, a consumer housewares firm.

Note: Dick and Janet Menzer will be away during much of July and August. During that time, Phyllis Liddell will be in charge of the Forum. Bring your ideas for programs to her.

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UNISON SUMMER MONTHLY SCHEDULE This Sunday's (July 31) Unison is our August Unison. On August 28 we will resume publishing the Unison weekly. Weekly Announcements will continue throughout the summer.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS The 50th anniversary celebration of the founding of our congregation is set for the weekend of September 17-18. Highlights: Saturday, September 17 - Late afternoon presentation by Rev. William Murray, special music. Pot luck dinner and fellowship followed by a showing of video recorded greetings by Rev. Peter Morales, President of UUA.

Sunday, September 18 9:00am Service 11:00pm Celebratory service, special music, reception following, exhibits, tours.

WANTED: Pictures of our Congregation's early ministers. May be candid, small or in a group. Still missing are pictures of Robert Jones, Craig Coleman, Marlene Walker, Alice Blair Wesley, Roberta Finkelstein, and Walter Bremen. Leave at the church office for Carole Larsen or mail or call for pickup.

COAT ROOM CLEANED OUT There is a full box of left behind items small and large, including a sweater, jacket and sweatshirt. Please look through them at the Scrip table. All leftovers will be donated August 26!

Social and Environmental Justice

ELMER DERR RD CLEAN-UP – SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 - MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW!! The next Elmer Derr Rd Clean-up Party has been scheduled for Saturday, August 27, 2011 (weather permitting). Dave Hutchins will be handling the sign-ins and organization of the party. Dave will be directing the clean-up and will drive a vehicle with signage and supplies. We will need at least 6 able-bodied individuals in addition to Dave to tidy up the approach to our beautiful building for our 50th Anniversary Celebration 2 weeks later!!

Meet in the parking lot in front of the UUCF Building to sign-in. We recommend dressing in layers with sturdy shoes, and carrying a water bottle. A "grabber" also comes in handy. Please email [email protected] if you will be able to participate. Watch mid-week announcements for details.

SEJC/GREEN DISCUSSION GROUP ADJOURNED FOR SUMMER The third Sunday discussion groups will not meet in July or August. We will resume regular meetings in September

3 OUR BEATRIX POTTER NURSERY (Room#119) THE RELIGION OF BEATRIX POTTER A sermon by the Rev. Bruce Clear Sunday, March 9, 2008 All Souls Unitarian Church Indianapolis, Indiana www.allsoulsuuindy.org/ser20080309.htm

Beatrix Potter. Writer and illustrator of young children’s books. The Tales of Peter Rabbit. We all know that part of it. Some of us may know she had a cameo appearance in the long history of Unitarianism. Is there more about Beatrix Potter? ………………

Beatrix Potter was born in London in 1866, the daughter of Rupert and Helen Potter, both parents coming from wealthy families around London. As was the custom for families of that status and in that era, Beatrix was raised and educated at home through a series of nannies, and her younger brother would be sent off to boarding school. Still, Beatrix’s education was thorough, learning classical subjects and becoming adept at several languages. When she reached the age of young adulthood, she remained for some years living at home and managing the household, mostly because that was what her parents expected

It wasn’t just the animals that she loved; it was really all of nature. The family spent each summer in the countryside, for the first part of her childhood in Scotland, but later on the Northwest coast of England, known as the “Lake District.” It was there especially that she would spend countless hours as a girl and young adult exploring not just the hills and lakes, but in minute detail the various species of plants and animals that filled the countryside. It was also there, in the Lake District, on an established and working farm, that she would remain for almost all of her adult life.

Religion played an important part in shaping the character of Beatrix Potter. Her religious orientation was fairly simple – but there are also layers of complexity worthy of note. To begin with, it must be mentioned of course that she was born and raised an English Unitarian. That explains both the simplicity and the complexity of her views. I’ll begin with the simple part.

In a way, it’s easy to paraphrase the religion of Beatrix Potter. She put it in a few concise words in her personal journals at age 18. It can be captured in the last few words of a paragraph she wrote about religion: “behave yourself, and never mind the rest (about religion).” To be a little more precise, the full sentence should be cited: “(I) believe there is a great power silently working all things for good; behave yourself, and never mind the rest.” Or, if you want the whole context of these thoughts, they emerge from her fervent anti-creedalism inspired by her Unitarian background. Here is the entire paragraph from her journal:

“All outward forms of religion are almost useless, and are the cause of endless strife. What do Creeds matter, what possible difference does it make to anyone today whether the doctrine of the resurrection is correct or incorrect, or the miracles, they don’t happen nowadays, but very queer things do that concern us much more. (I) believe there is a great power silently working all things for good; behave yourself and never mind the rest.”

It might help to understand some things about English Unitarianism in those days. In a country where the Church of England (the Anglican Church) was woven into the national government, minority religions were “tolerated,” in the patronizing meaning of that word. They were allowed to exist, but that was about it. They were given neither equal status nor respect. Unitarian congregations met in “chapels,” because only Anglicans were allowed to call their places of worship “churches.” Weddings were recognized officially only if they were held in Anglican churches. And of course taxes were collected to support the official church, and other religious groups were on their own…………..

4 Adult Spiritual Enrichment

BOOK FOR ALL SEASONS. DATE CHANGE TO AUGUST 21. Please join the Adult Spiritual Enrichment Committee in a discussion of Reason and Reverence; Religious Humanism for the 21st Century by Rev. William R. Murry. Rev. Murry was in our pulpit this spring and will take part in UUCF’s 50th Anniversary Celebration in September. The ASE Committee thought that many of you might want to read his latest book and share your thoughts with others on Sunday, August 21 after the service at 11:00 AM. Books are available through the UUA Bookstore or Amazon.

FALL ADULT PROGRAMS We would love to hear from you if you have an interest in presenting a class, leading a focused discussion or doing a workshop in the fall. There is a proposal form on line through www.frederickuu.org or contact [email protected] to run your ideas by the ASE Committee. We’d be happy to talk with you about your idea. Ann Foard, Nancy Hutchins, Carole Benson, Penny McDougall.

DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT HISTORY? (UU HISTORY, THAT IS). Would you like to learn more? The ASE Committee would like to know of those interested in multiple sessions this fall based on the new UUA curriculum, “Faith like a River”. (Details are available by searching title on uua.org.) If you would be interested, it would help the Committee to know when it would work for you: an evening? A weekday morning? Sunday afternoon or evening? Please respond to [email protected] .

CHALICE COMMUNITIES; YOU CAN SIGN UP NOW! Our Small Group Ministry program, Chalice Communities, will be reorganizing in the fall, and you’re invited to be a part. Small groups of 6 – 10 people meet twice a month, using a topic provided or selected by the group. Because the discussions are structured for deep listening to one another, there is a real opportunity to get to know others and to explore our own thoughts about a range of topics.

Groups choose their own topics of discussion, and we also provide some session plans around a common theme. This year groups will have the option of some discussions around the UU Seventh Principle—how our personal lives and decisions touch each other and life on the planet. We hope you will join us.

Please see the Chalice Communities Brochure and registration form, located at the Religious Education kiosk in the lobby. Please feel free to ask questions or indicate your interest in person or by email to coordinators Diane Shuey and Nancy Hutchins [email protected]

5 Children and Youth

OUR WHOLE LIVES (OWL) TEACHER TRAINING Training for Elementary Level Friday, August 26, 2011 through Sunday, August 28, 2011 Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington Trainers: Rev. Manish Mishra Lara Campbell For more info, see: www.jpduua.org/media/New%20You%20Can%20Use/June%202011/OWL%20Elementary %20Flyer%20August%202011%20- %20Arlington.pdf?wb_session_id=956f5063733e39b064a2a54e1009c481

PLEASE BE AWARE that there is a child in the Circle of Life Cooperative with a life- threatening allergy to peanuts (and other nuts). This child is extremely sensitive: even touching a book cover that's been touched by someone who has eaten peanut butter crackers could send the child to the emergency room. Please do not bring nuts or items containing peanuts or tree nuts into any of the religious education classrooms (we have RE participants with the same allergies); if you or your child have eaten anything containing even traces of peanuts before you arrived in the building, please wash your hands in the kitchen sink before proceeding further. Thank you!

HAPPY AUGUST BIRTHDAYS 1st – Tully Arlington, Diane Askounes; 3rd – P.K. Hadfield; 4th – Abby Dahl; 5th – Keith Backlund, Connor Sloan; 6th – Tommy Grace; 7th – Savannah Klein; 9th – Sharon DiMaria, Patrick Hammond, Neil Sweeney-Haney; 10th – Piers Ady; 11th – Lincoln Robisch, William Singley; 12th – Mary Fletcher; 13th – Rebecca Galdamez; 14th – Bobbi Mead; 16th – Margaret Hays; 17th – Emily Bertram, Aubrey Shannon; 19th – Marge Fortman; 20th – Mileidy Callin; 21st – Cambria Callin; 22th – Mark Butler; 23rd – Rachel Askounes, Rebecca Devilbliss, Ella Slaby; 25th – Melody Askounes; 26th – Marie Harold; 27th – John Thomson; 28th – Bill Laughlin; 29th – Sea Raven; 30th – Elise Benson; and 31st – Julia Roettiger.

Pastoral Care

THE PASTORAL CARE ASSOCIATES stand ready to be of service to each of our members and friends when illness, death or family difficulties arise. We count on hearing from you in time of need so that we might be useful in caring. No one need cope alone. We honor your privacy with utmost respect. Please call or write any of the Pastoral Care Associates listed below.

Fanny Johnsson – [email protected] – 301-694-5474 Diane Shuey – [email protected] – 301-865-6023 Deborah Calhoun – [email protected] – 301-865-0249 Julie Ebersole – [email protected] – 240-329-7266 Hannah Gaffigan – [email protected] – 301-845-0478 Jill Schatken – [email protected] – 304-876-0010 Foods for Friends – Dorothea Mordan – [email protected] – 443-980-9363

6 IT IS ALWAYS BEST TO CALL AHEAD IF YOU WISH TO MEET WITH REV. HUGHES OR ANY STAFF MEMBER.

REV. ROBERT HUGHES’ CURRENT WORK SCHEDULE Thursdays: Fridays: 9:00 am – 12:00 Noon 10:00 am – 12:00 Noon 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Sundays – 8:30 am – 2:00 pm

The Minister will preach two Sundays each month and will usually be present on the other Sundays.

When there are committee meetings or board meetings on a Thursday night, the minister will stay later. The two hours on Thursday from 12:00 Noon until 2:00 pm are for lunch and any needed hospital visitation

Ms. Dottie Hall, the Congregational Administrator, has access to the Minister’s calendar. Should the minister not be available, you may talk with her regarding scheduling a meeting. Please reserve any free Thursday evenings for people who have day jobs.

Should there be needs outside of the available times allotted, please let the minister know.

DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION – LORA POWELL’S OFFICE HOURS Sunday – 8:30 am – 1:30 pm Wednesday – Day Off Monday – 9:15 am – 2:30 pm Thursday – 9:15 am – 2:30 pm Tuesday – 9:15 am – 2:30 pm Friday – 9:15 am – 2:30 pm

THE UUCF STAFF meets regularly. There is a “staff suggestion” box in the Narthex. Please either contact the staff directly or through the box. If you would like a response, please include a name and phone number and/or an email address.

Rev. Robert Hughes – [email protected] Dottie Hall – [email protected] Dottie Hall’s Office Hours Lora Powell – [email protected] Sunday – 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Sue Singley – [email protected] Wednesday – 9:00 am –5:00 pm Carrie Bagwill – [email protected] Thursday – 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Turner Stokes – [email protected] Friday – 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Rick Holt – [email protected]

REMINDER: In order to schedule a room for meetings, etc., please complete a “Calendar Reservation Form” located in the office (and next to the drinking fountains by the office door). Changes should be forwarded to [email protected] . As a scheduling aid, you may refer to the UUCF Calendar at www.frederickuu.org/calendar/calendar.php .

REMINDER: When you are planning to use the office facilities either for equipment use or office support, please coordinate this through the Congregational Administrator, Dottie Hall. Dottie can be reached at 301-473-7680 or [email protected] .

REMINDER: The office needs final input for the Mid-Week Announcements, Order of Service and the Unison emailed to [email protected] by 12:00 Noon on Wednesdays.

7 UUCF Activities – Week of July 31, 2011

Sunday, July 31 9:00 am – Childcare (0-3 years) – Nursery 9:00 am – Friendly Forum – Rooms 113/115 10:00 am – Summer Multi-Generation Worship Service – Sanctuary

Monday, August 1 9:30 am – (C.A.S.E. Summer Camp – Rooms 113/115)

Tuesday, August 2 9:30 am – (C.A.S.E. Summer Camp – Rooms 113/115) 7:00 pm – Social and Environmental Justice Committee Meeting – Rooms 113/115

Wednesday, August 3 9:30 am – (C.A.S.E. Summer Camp – Rooms 113/115)

Thursday, August 4 9:30 am – (C.A.S.E. Summer Camp – Rooms 113/115) 10:00 am – Neighborhood Groups Meetings – Room 124 7:00 pm – Stakeholders Meeting – Room 124

Friday, August 5 9:30 am – (C.A.S.E. Summer Camp – Rooms 113/115) 6:00 pm – (Kol Ami Tot Shabbat/Erev Shabbot Services – Kitchen and Sanctuary)

Saturday, August 6

Sunday, August 7 9:00 am – Childcare (0-3 years) – Nursery 9:00 am – Friendly Forum – Rooms 113/115 9:00 am – UU Christian Service – Chapel 10:00 am – Summer Worship Service – Sanctuary 10:00 am – Children’s RE – Rooms 123 and 125 11:00 am – Question and Answer re. Congregation Sharing Sanctuary

(Parenthesis denotes an outside rental guest)

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