CARBONDALE UNITARIAN FELLOWSHIP BULLETIN
A Member Congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association Phone: 529-2439 website: www.carbondaleuf.org email: [email protected] Rev. Sarah C. Richards, Minister [email protected]
BRINGING A LIBERAL RELIGIOUS PRESENCE TO THE RIVERS REGION FOR 60 YEARS
BULLETIN for: July 5, 2017 through July 13, 2017
What Does it Mean to be a Community of Memory?
SUNDAY SERVICE for July 9, 2017:
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
- Resist and Rejoice
- Rev. Sarah Richards
CUF Delegates Esther Hughes, Elena Sasso, Amy Weber and Rev. Sarah reflect on their recent experiences at the annual Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly in New Orleans. The Unitarian Folk Orchestra provides service music.
GREETERS: Kathy O’Laughlin
COUNTERS: Martha Shum and Karen Swenson
OPEN MINDS, July 9, 2017:
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. See you Sunday morning!
SUNDAY!
COMMON CENTS STARTS THIS SUNDAY!
Last month, the CUF Board of Trustees approved a plan for a year-long fundraising effort, Common Cents. Each Sunday during the offering, the congregation is invited to add their pocket change to the collection plate. The uncounted change will be put into a large, transparent water jug in the Commons every Sunday, where we can watch the coins pile up over time. In late spring 2018, people can enter a pool to guess the total amount collected ($5/guess), the person with the closest guess will win 10% of the Common Cents collection. All proceeds from the collection and the pool will go to the CUF general fund, FY18. So gather up your spare change and bring it to the Sunday Service--together we grow our Common Cents!
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THE SECOND SUNDAY POTLUCK is this Sunday. We hope that everyone will be willing to help set up and clean up. Thank you in advance!
FELLOWSHIP NEWS
Summer Minister, Administrator Schedules
Rev. Sarah will be on study leave and vacation Tuesday, July 11 - Monday, July 31. Pastoral Friends will be providing pastoral care coverage during that time:
July 11-16 Nan Sorrels ([email protected]; 618/319-9281) July 17-23 Astrid Norman ([email protected]; 618/201-1769) July 24-31 Bob Camp ([email protected]; 618-351-0083)
DeSande R, Office Administrator will be on vacation July 18-21, but volunteers will be filling in so Office Hours are as usual: Tuesday - Friday 2:30 - 5:30pm.
DUE-ing OUR PART
On April 23, 2017, this congregation passed a 2018 budget which, once again, did not provide for the payment of our fair share to the Unitarian Universalist Association Program Fund (aka “dues” that pays for services and resources provided by the UUA and the UUA MidAmerica Region). The Congregation has made it clear that paying our dues is a priority, so we simply must raise more funds. For a pledge of only $91.00 ($7.59/mo.) above and beyond your current FY 2018 pledge, you can cover the cost of your own dues. For just $182.00 ($15.17/mo.), you can cover both the cost of your own dues, and sponsor those of another CUF member who may not be able to contribute financially. Several members have already made an additional pledge, and deserve our thanks. But it is not too late to do your part. If you write a check,
please note “FY 2018” in the memo line so that the funds are properly distributed. If you prefer monthly automatic withdrawals from
your bank account, please contact Jan Eisenhard at [email protected] to make arrangements. Thank you!
CUF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES - WHO DOES WHAT?
Confused about who and how we keep track of our income? Members may now access a description on our Members Only page, under Monthly Fiscal Reports, that describes our process and who does each task. This page needs a password. See any Board Member or our Office Administrator, DeSande R ([email protected]) for our password.
LIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
"We have a new RE Program Assistant, Jodi Ruffner! She has twelve plus years’ experience teaching all class levels in RE as well as
being a past chair of the RE committee. When you see her please extend sincere congratulations and welcome!"
JOIN RE FOR SUMMER SUNDAY FUN!
The children/youth invite you join Summer Sundays by sharing your talent as either a leader of a topic or as a helper. Your passion/hobby is all the experience you need!
The poster board sign-up will be in the Commons after Sunday Services. Have questions or for more information, please speak with Connie Payne. 618-521-2905 or [email protected]
SAVE THE DATE: Fall Parent/Teacher Orientation Sunday August 27th 12:00-2:00pm. Lunch will be provided. Child care will be provided. Many new exciting things to discuss and more info to come! See you there!
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THE 2017 ECLIPSE is not far off, and CUF is gearing up for it. The CUF Board has asked the Building and Grounds Committee to work out details of how we will handle that weekend and Monday. In particular, we hope to prepare for use of our parking lot, making sure it remains available for attendees of our regular Sunday events. We expect to ask for volunteers to help out at CUF that weekend, so please be thinking about that and try to make room in your plans if you can. Thanks!
UNEXPLAINED CONSCIOUSNESS EVENTS: EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITIES.
A course for the curious adult based on a book by local author, Robert De Filippis, will be on Tuesday, July 11th, 7:00 P.M. and continue every Tuesday Evening for three or more weeks at the Carbondale Unitarian Fellowship Building, 105 North Parrish Lane, Carbondale.
Science and religion are the two lenses we look through to understand the important questions in life. Neither one does a
comprehensive job without denying the other. Consequently, we usually take one or the other more seriously. In this course, we’ll
search for more complete answers in the dark space between the two. In other words, is it possible that they can come together to explain more?
You need not be a member of the Unitarian Fellowship to attend. The course is free, but you will need a copy of the book to attend. It is available locally at Bookworm, through the author, or on most Internet book selling sites. Special arrangements can be made for those who may not be able to afford the book. Contact Robert De Filippis at [email protected] .
GENTLE CHAIR YOGA CLASS continues on Wednesday, June 14th, 1:00 p.m. in the Commons Area. Some
standing poses but yoga mat is not necessary. Open to all who wish to learn about posture, breathing techniques and how to strengthen core muscles. Instructor BJ Carr. For more information, call BJ at 549-4464 or e-mail at [email protected] No charge for class but donations to CUF are welcome. .
ROUND TABLE READERS: The next meeting of the RTRs will be at 12 noon on Sunday, July 23. We will be
discussing the book The Crusades Through Arab Eyes by Amin Maalouf. David Pellow will lead this discussion. Please note that all are welcome to attend these book discussions and, this summer, to participate in the choice of books for next year’s discussions. For more information please contact Pat Elsaid at [email protected].
WE NEED ONE ANOTHER...OPPORTUNITIES FOR CARING AT CUF
CUF is looking for a Coordinator of our Caring & Sharing network. We have over thirty people on the C & S roster who provide occasional meals, rides, dog-walking and other temporary services to ill or recuperating CUF folks. The Coordinator must have regular access to email and telephone for communication with C&S volunteers and those in need of temporary help. It normally takes only a few hours per month, and earns the gratitude of the CUF community. Please contact Laura Van Abbema, ([email protected]) for more information.
CUF is also looking for a Coordinator for Cards of Compassion Sunday (aka Greeting Card Sunday). On the first Sunday of every month, CUF folks sign cards for those who have shared sorrows--and sometimes joys--during Sunday Services. The CC Coordinator selects cards from the CUF card collection, addresses and stamps envelopes, sits at the Card table during coffee hour, and/or coordinates volunteers for those tasks. It takes only a few hours per month, and earns the gratitude of the CUF community. Please contact Laura Van Abbema, ([email protected]) for more information.
NEW FOYER SIGN LAYOUT
We want your feedback. The next time you come into the CUF building, take a look at the different layout of the Foyer Sign. Let us know what you think! Contact DeSande R at 618-529-2439 or [email protected] .
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THE CUF CLEANING VOLUNTEERS could use some more members. This is a way to support CUF in
addition to monetary support or instead of monetary support. We only need a volunteer the 2nd week of
each month. A reminder is sent out each month and people who are available to help that month let me know. This is about a 2 hour commitment when you volunteer to clean. Contact Joyce Shepherd at [email protected] , call 521-0424 or talk to her after a service.
The Fellowship’s ART COLONY continues to meet every Thursday from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. All interested in expressing their creativeness through any media or crafts are welcome, whether new to art or experienced. We have a welcome basket of art supplies for newcomers. At noon we gather around tables to share ideas and learn from each other. This is a good time for those interested to check out this program. For further information,
contact Joan Juul (618-967-9010 or [email protected]), Bob Camp (618-351-0083 or [email protected]) or
one of the Art Colony participants.
VOLUNTEER ANNOUNCEMENT If you want to get involved and get to know more people at the Fellowship, then volunteering in the office is the place to be! If you just want to give a few hours a month, then that would be great. Please call DeSande at the office, 618.529.2439, if you are interested.
DID YOU KNOW? As a UUA certified Green Sanctuary Fellowship, we are committed to serving Fair Trade coffee, tea and as many other fair trade products as possible. We have chosen the UUSC's Coffee Project through Equal Exchange to order these products. If you have a favorite tea you would like to donate please make sure that it is fair trade. Thank you.
CURRENT MEMBER DIRECTORIES For your convenience, Member Directories are available in the CUF Office located in the 3rd mailbox slot down, in the 2nd column from the right. Feel free to just come by and ask for one from DeSande or you may pick one up on Sundays.
EVENTS IN
The Wider UUniverse
UUANI ACTION OF THE WEEK
Committing to Protect the Interdependent Web
President Trump has announced his intention to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, but Illinois does not have to follow him. The US Climate Alliance is a bipartisan group of states that have committed to following through on the Agreement. The Illinois House and Senate have also passed resolutions calling for our state to join the Climate Alliance, and to develop a plan to achieve 100% clean energy by 2045.
Click here to urge Gov Rauner to join the US Climate Alliance and to develop a plan to achieve 100% clean energy by
2045.
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Thanks for all you do, Scott
P.S. I’ll be taking a break from weekly actions for a while to rest, reflect, and recharge for the work ahead. I hope you find time to do the
same. Rev. Scott Aaseng, Executive Director Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of Illinois (UUANI)
http://uu-advocacy-illinois.org https://www.facebook.com/UUANI (773) 726-9082
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST PRESENCE IN THE STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA is deeply needed and wanted in today’s climate. We
need help. Our parking lot is in need of repairs, our doors and entry ramp are falling apart, and many who want to come can’t get in.
Our congregation, which has helped so many, needs help now. Help us continue to grow as a beacon of hope and love in our
state. Help us be able to open our doors to all who wish to enter. We are raising these funds through a Faithify campaign, which has more information on our repair projects, as well as a d9onatioon link. The campaign can be fund at the UR below:
https://www.faithify.org/projects/help-open-hearts-and-doors-in-west-virginia/
Thank you for considering to help us, once again, bring more love and justice to our community.. Paul Dalzell, Operations and Outreach Coordinator, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Charleston, WV – Faithify campaign
COMMUNITY EVENTS
SUN/MOON STORIES - Call for original written work, for reading/performance the evening of Friday, August 18
The Varsity Center, 418 South Illinois Avenue, Carbondale, Illinois
What are we looking for? The writing can include personal, philosophical, and cultural musings on the 2017 Solar Eclipse. Want suggestions? These might help you start thinking: how will/should the eclipse be important to the world, or just to you? What can it teach us/you? Its historical significance? What are its spiritual implications? Type of writing: whatever style of writing you choose. Some examples to get you started: short play, essay, poetry, spoken word
Maximum Length: maximum of 10 minutes for poetry or spoken word, maximum of 20 minutes for other written work Age categories: Less than 13 years old Ages 13 to 18 Age 19 and above
If the entry is a group effort, the work will compete in the category based on the age of the oldest contributor Work will be judged on quality, and potential interest as performance piece; creativity and entertainment value is a plus. All submissions must be your original work. The best of the submissions can be read/performed at the Varsity Center on the evening of Friday, August 18 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Submit your work in written electronic form (text document or PDF), OR send us a video link to performance/recitation of the work. You must include your name(s), age(s), where you live, and your contact information. Send all to: [email protected]
Entry deadline: July 18, 2017
www.stagecompany.org www.facebook.com/stageco
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RIDES PLUS CALL CENTER - MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE
RPCC's goal is to remove transportation as a barrier in scheduling non- emergency medical appointments by making the process easier. Just one toll free call (844-220-1243) gets you a trained "Mobility Management Specialist" who will assist at no cost, in arranging transportation for any individual throughout Illinois and our neighboring states. The Rides Plus Call Centers are open 7:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday - Saturday.
Also good to know: If you have Medicaid, the cost of medical transportation may be covered. Mobility Specialists can expedite the process of obtaining approval for Medicaid eligible trips. If you do not have Medicaid the specialists will work to find the most cost effective transportation option. Rides Plus has established relationships with all local transportation providers to offer regional service. A variety of transportation modes are available, whether a person needs walk-on or wheelchair service.
THE WOMEN'S CENTER, INC. is facing a large funding shortfall due to the budget impasse. Please contact your state senator and representative as well as the Appropriations Chair to demand a budget that protects services for domestic violence and rape crisis programs. If you have any questions, please contact Laura Van Abbema at 703-869-5895. Thank you for your support! Representative Greg Harris – Chairperson of the House Appropriations Committee
Email: [email protected]; Phone: Chicago 773-348-3434, Springfield 217-782-3835
Representative Terri Bryant – District 115
Email: [email protected]; Phone: Murphysboro 618-684-1100, Springfield 217-782-0387
Senator Paul Schimpf – District 58
Email: [email protected]; Phone: Murphysboro 618-684-1100, Springfield 217-782-8137
Representative Dave Severin – District 117
Email: [email protected]; Phone: Marion 618-440-5090, Springfield 217-782-1051
Senator Dale Fowler – District 59
Email: [email protected]; Phone: Harrisburg 618-294-8951, S’field 217-782-5509
Representative Brandon Phelps – District 118 Email: [email protected]; Phone: Harrisburg 618-253-4189, S’field 217-782-5131 Representative Jerry Costello – District 116
