cats-like activity" as the pros and cons of building on the new tract or expanding the present facility went back and forth

At the September 26 Northeast Cluster meeting, the Volusians were obviously very excited at the prospect of having a sanctuary large enough to seat everyone in the congregation for the foreseeable future plus having a dedicated eating and general purpose area, religious education classrooms designed for that purpose, and space to carry out administrative and clerical functions without bumping into each other. The downtown location is another big plus, Linda said.

Celebration in Palatka - There were balloons, a beautiful cake and music! It was a great turnout for the celebration of All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church’s third anniversary on Sunday, August 2. A small but dedicated group has kept the doors open to a liberal faith in devoutly conservative Palatka, FL. “It’s a minor event for many organizations, the third birthday, but it’s a big deal to us,” said Gail Zeigler, president.

Looking back over the past five years (including two as part of Chrysalis Way, a curriculum designed in the Florida District to improve chances for success Yes, we can! Have our cake and eat it, too .... for emerging UU congregations), it has been hard work, but with satisfying results. All Souls UU participates annually in the Martin Luther King Day parade and dinner, provides volunteers to Bread of Life, the local soup kitchen, and tithes ten percent of all money collected to support the Bread of Life. Christmas 2008 the church adopted a local family and provided everything from the Christmas turkey to bikes for the three children and gifts for the guardian grandma – in all, an entire van-load of gifts for the deserving family.

“We’re looking forward,” according to Kevin Sharbaugh, “to continuing to make a difference in Putnam County, even as we continue to build our congregation.” Kevin’s oral history of All Souls was part of the birthday service. Kevin was also one of the original “Gatherers” (participants in Chrysalis Way) who helped put All Souls on the religious map of Putnam County. All Souls participates in Northeast Cluster activities, recently sent two delegates to the Southland Unitarian Universalist Leadership Experience, and is part of a four-church project designed to bring smaller congregations together to share resources and build on individual experience. “Look for bigger and brighter things from All Souls in the future,” Gail added. - Rita Foust

In Memoriam: Rev. Dr. Forrest Church: Theologian, Author, UU Spokesperson - The acclaimed author of more than two dozen books and longtime minister of All Souls Unitarian Church in City, Forrest Church died on September 24, 2009, following a three- year battle with esophageal cancer. He was sixty-one years old.

The son of former U.S. Senator (D-) and grandson of former Idaho Governor Chase A. Clark, Forrest Church earned his Ph.D. in early church history from in 1978, and began his career at All Souls that same year. Selected from approximately twenty-five applicants for the position, Church was twenty-nine years old. He served All Souls from then until his death.

During Church’s tenure at the congregation, All Souls flourished. Over the past three decades, membership at All Souls has more than tripled. With over 1,400 members, All Souls is one of the largest congregations in the Unitarian Universalist Association today.

As All Souls grew, so too did Church’s prominence as a public voice for and for social justice. He was a strong proponent of both religious and political liberalism. In 1986, Church told the Boston Globe, “…generally, politicians try to change society for the betterment of the individual. I like to change the individual for the betterment of society.“ “Let us never forget . . .” At the UUA’s 2008 General Assembly, Church received the most prestigious award given by the UUA. Upon receiving the award, Church remarked, “Let us never forget what a privilege it is to be part of this great movement and to pronounce its saving faith: one light (Unitarianism) shining through many windows (Universalism).”

New York Times reporter Cara Buckley talked with congregants at All Souls in the fall of 2008. “They spoke of Mr. Church’s gift with words, his ability to connect with others and his seemingly endless capacity for empathy and compassion,” she observes. “Unitarian Universalism is a theologically liberal religion, and to many, Mr. Church embodied the very best of the religion.” His friend, NBC newsman and former Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw said, “Forrest Church made all of our lives so much richer with his friendship, his faith and his optimism. He was a leading citizen in the world of all of God's children.”

Church spent his final years reflecting on the importance of living each day with love and gratitude. He writes in Love and Death, “The goal is to live in such a way that our lives will prove worth dying for.…The one thing that can’t be taken from us, even by death, is the love we give away before we go.”

Speakers speak up - Worship committees, either always or occasionally, need an outside speaker to bring thoughtful sermons/speeches to the congregation. In the August and September Breezes, we listed some active speakers in our Northeast Cluster, along with their contact numbers. Lloyd Dunham was on the list and emailed new information. So that you’ll know a bit more about each potential “preacher,” we’ll give you a brief picture of one or two in each Breeze from now on.

Rev. Lloyd H. Dunham (5927 Aruna Drive Port Orange FL 32127, 386-761- 6509, [email protected]) has spoken at Eustis, DeLand, Ormond, Palatka, Rev. Lloyd H. Dunham Marion County (UUFMC), Nature Coast UUF and, of course, at his home county Community UU in New Smyrna Beach. “While I have spoken on many topics,” he wrote, “I have specialized on first-person presentations on UU Heroes. While Laurie and I have given many years in pastoral ministry in the United Church of Christ, we find our UU experience wonderfully free and broadening. With Forrest Church, we strongly affirm the idea of ‘One Light Through Many Windows.’”

Rev. Dr. John M. Higgins - [email protected] - 321-777-1321 – no distance limit – John Higgns -"Jack" - has been a UU minister since 1996. He was ordained at the UU Church of Amherst, NY in 1996 and served two smaller Rev. Dr. Jack Higgins congregations in the Buffalo suburbs before returning to Florida for the 5th time. Prior to that he was an educator in six different countries – USA, Canada, Australia, Uganda, Colombia and Brazil. He was a college/university dean and vice president in several smaller American colleges. At present, in addition to being a Consulting Minister at Friendship Fellowship at Pineda (between Melbourne and Cocoa), he teaches a class in World Religions at Brevard Community College. Jack speaks regularly at six other UU churches in addition to Friendship.

Fees and travel expenses for both speakers are to be negotiated. For further information regarding speakers and topics, check out the Florida District website and click on Speakers Bureau – www.floridadistrict.org.

True tale of a partner church (Jacksonville) pilgrimage to Romania - Traditionally, our Arlington Street church has a potluck luncheon after the Thanksgiving Day Sunday service, and we were urged by the minister, Rev. John Young, to discuss our own heritage with those sitting at our table. And so it was that, a few years ago, fate had me sit next to Marta Zsemberovszky, a fairly new member whom I did not know. When I told the story of my mother coming to this country as a young girl from Hungary, Marta revealed that she, too, had emigrated from the same country.

As Marta and I got to know one another, I told her about our Partner Church in Bozod, Romania, which began in 1993, but became dormant in 2000 due to changing leadership and waning interest on the part of the congregation. Communication was difficult with no ability to translate the language. The two of us decided to renew our relationship with Bozod, and Marta began contact with Levente Fazakas, the minister of an almost 200-year-old Hungarian Unitarian Church located in a town of less than 600 people.

Marta had planned a visit to Hungary in 2007, and made a side trip to Bozod. The next two years saw lots of activity, with Hungarian Dinner fundraising, collections for needed service projects in Bozod, talks by UUPCC Coordinator John Dale, and initial plans for a trip by members to Bozod. In 2008, Marta surprised us all as well as the people in Bozod with the announcement that she was going to retire and move to Bozod. Following Marta

We now had the impetus to plan a 2009 trip. John Pilgrims all - First row: Marta Zsemberovzsky, Dale visited again, and we identified eleven travelers Donna Janesky, Pat Ballinger, Carlos Fraticelli; who wished to make the pilgrimage – September 7- second row: Bob Irwin, Dee Powers, 24. The process was very simple, with information Barbara Robinson, Donna Nagy, Lois Hoeft, Rita Carr, Dave Nagy, Sabena Norman from the UUPCC and John Dale’s help with the (not in photo because she’s behind the camera: itinerary. In addition, the 17-day trip was very Donna “Jan” Janetsky) reasonably priced. We landed in Bucharest, and were met by John’s wife Scilla, who served as one of our translators. We boarded an air- conditioned bus, and set off on our great adventure. We stopped at famous landmarks and sites of particular interest to Unitarians, including the Kolozsvar Unitarian church which houses the rock upon which Frances David stood when he converted the city to Unitarianism.

We arrived in Bozod for a three-day stay with great anticipation. Marta and many of the villagers were there to greet us – what a happy reunion with our Ambassador to Bozod! We stayed within the homes of the church members, who made certain we were properly “wined and dined” – the meals cooked by the women of the church were wonderful. The highlight of our trip was attending a church service in our Partner church and taking part in the service. Bob Irwin, one of the travelers, played the organ as we sang “Spirit of Life” and “America the Beautiful.” We presented the congregation with our gift of a specially made ceramic chalice. Words can’t describe the joy we felt at connecting with our Unitarian partners whose warmth and kindness will not be forgotten. Plans were made for further joint ventures and projects in which we can mutually participate. After emotional goodbyes, we were off to a three-day stay in Budapest, and then three days in Vienna before returning home. We were told by John Dale that we were his “oldest group” (average age); we stayed the longest (17 days); and we were the most punctual! John and Scilla are amazing tour guides – knowledgeable, considerate, and anticipatory when it comes to the needs and wants of travelers.

You do not need to have a Partner Church relationship to go on a pilgrimage tour, but can hook up with a scheduled tour. Go to www.UUPCC.org for more information about pilgrimage tours. Our next goal is to involve our youth and aim for a trip in 2010. Not only do we feel energized by this experience, but we feel connected through our global friendships with Unitarians across the world. - Donna Janetsky

“Why not come to St. Augustine on September 26 for the Northeast Cluster?” - That was the email question. Judith Southard, past president of the DeLand congregation, responded this way: “Because that is the day Joe [Knott] and I are getting married. Sorry. See you next time.” Well, Judith, as far as excuses go .... The Rev. Dr. John Higgins conducted the ceremony, and several cluster attendees had to leave early to make it to the church on time. (Did you sing that last phrase?) The Hawaiian theme was festive and beautiful with orchids and flowers of all kinds everywhere. The bride and groom and their guests dressed in colorful Hawaiian clothes, creating a very tangible island atmosphere. Best wishes, Judith and Joe, from all of us. See you both next spring! Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Knott

Gainesville Cabaret Night - The UUFG choirs will present another fun-filled Cabaret Night on Saturday, October 24, at 8:00 p.m. in the UUFG sanctuary. All of their choirs, as well as Audacity and an impressive lineup of soloists and small ensembles, will entertain with favorite show tunes and other popular numbers. At intermission, a lavish array of desserts will be served. Cabaret Night also serves as a very important fundraiser for the UUFG music program. Suggested ticket donation is $10-25 for adults and $5 for children.

Jacksonville DRE praises Tapestry of Faith curricula - According to the UUA website, Tapestry of Faith is a series of programs and resources for all ages that nurture Unitarian Universalist identity, spiritual growth, a transforming faith, and vital communities of justice and love. The UUA is developing these resources out of a broad series of conversations and denomination-wide focus groups that articulated a future direction for Unitarian Universalist religious growth and learning. These programs offer a variety of resources – downloadable, printed, viewable, interactive, and more – a religious growth and learning program for the twenty-first century. Kelly Belanger Harris, Director of Religious Exploration at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Jacksonville, notes with enthusiasm that three of her Jax classes are using Tapestry of Faith. “This new curricula was written by amazing Unitarian Universalist curriculum writers,” she writes. “Each is age-appropriate and addresses four central themes: Faith Development, Ethical Development, Unitarian Universalist Identity, and Spiritual Development.”

Part of the Tapestry weekly lesson is a portion called “Taking It Home.” Kelly decided to send that portion to EVERYONE in the congregation. This way members get to see what the children are exploring, the format that Tapestry of Faith utilizes, and, says Kelly, “it may be a jumping-off-point for talking to our children and youth at church!”

This is the material Kelly sent out a few weeks ago for the 1st and 2nd Grade class, whose study topic is Creating Home; third session, “Beehive”:

The 1st and 2nd Grade class had special visitors this past Sunday (September 6): bees! Kathy Dobson and Geoff Bickford graciously donated their time Sunday morning to bring bees, some samples of their homes, some fantastic honey, and a great introduction to the fascinating Kelly Belanger Harris and important work of bee-keeping.

IN TODAY’S SESSION… During our discussions of finding home in a particular place, the Creating Home group learned about the homes of other animals and compared some of them to our homes. This session explored what happens inside a beehive and how bees carry out certain functions of a home, such as providing a place to prepare and eat food, rest or sleep, and care for the young and elderly; sheltering inhabitants from storms, heat, and cold; and providing a place for the inhabitants to be together.

We compared a beehive to our own home, which serves many of the same functions. Homes make us feel safe because they providing a place for us to eat, sleep, be together, and find shelter. In later sessions of Creating Home, we will consider how our faith home can serve many of the same functions. Doing things together AT HOME, YOU CAN EXPLORE THE TOPIC TOGETHER. Look for teachable moments to discuss the functions of a home with your child. For instance, during your bedtime ritual, you can mention that it’s nice to have a home that provides a safe and cozy place to sleep at night. When you cross the threshold into your home during inclement weather, you can express thankfulness for a place where you can stay dry or warm.

EXTEND THE TOPIC TOGETHER. (1) Try…A Family Game. Ask your child to teach you the hand motions to this poem, which the children learned in today’s session: Here is the beehive Raise your closed fist with the back of your hand facing away from you.) Where are the bees? Hidden inside where nobody sees. Now they come creeping out of the hive. (Slowly begin to unfold your hand.) One, two, three, four, five… (Quickly pop up one finger for each number.) Buzzzzzzzz! (Move your fingers to imitate bees flying.)

(2) A Family Adventure- Bees help human beings in a wide variety of ways. You can explore some of this variety by going to a health food store and looking to see how many products you can find that have ingredients produced by, or help by, bees. You can look not only for honey and products containing royal jelly or beeswax, but also various kinds of produce which are pollinated by bees. You might also wish to explore around your yard or a nearby park and see if you find bees at work. Examine the bees in their natural habitat. What kinds of flowers do they like? How do they fly – for short distances or long? In a straight line or on a wiggling one? Can you find more than one kind of bee, such as a honey bee and bumble bee? Remind children that bees are wonderful friends to people, but that they don’t like to be touched, and should be viewed from a respectful distance.

(3) Family Discovery - Bee society is complex and there is a wealth of information available to all ages, especially about honeybees. For some factual background, Of course they’re smiling! - a recent group of pre-K kids at Jax visit the Tapestry of Faith website (at Arlington www.uua.org/religiouseducation/curricula/ tapestryfaith/index.shtml) and select this curriculum, Creating Home (Living Faith, Kindergarten/ First Grade). Choose Session 3: Beehive. Go to the Resources page and find Leader Resource, Background on Bees and Beehives.

Books for children about bees include: Beesby by Larry Dane Brimner (Grolier, 1999) The Honeybee and the Robber: A Moving Picture Book by Eric Carle (Philomel Books, 1981) The Honey Makers by Gail Gibbons (Morrow, 1997) The Life and Times of the Honeybee by Charles Micucci (New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1995) Life of the Honey Bee by Heiderose and Andreas Fischer-Nagel (Carolrhoda Books, Inc., 1986) The Magic School Bus: Inside a Beehive by Joanne Cole, illustrated by Bruce Degen (Scholastic, 1998)

There are also many websites about bees, some of which include puzzles and games you and you child can do together. Two of these are the British Beekeepers Association (at www.bees4kids.org.uk/) website and the National Honey Board (at www.honey.com/) website.

Tapestry of Faith “Take It Home” materials for other grades will be suggested in a future Breeze. Kelly reminds us that Tapestry of Faith curricula are made available by the Unitarian Universalist Association FREE on the UUA website. To learn more about any individual Tapestry curriculum, please visit: http://www.uua.org/religiouseducation/curricula/tapestryfaith/index.shtml. And, of course, Kelly will be happy to answer questions or make suggestions at 904-725-8133 or via email at [email protected].

Special Invitation from Orlando - We of the Kids In Need [KIN] Covenant Group at the First Unitarian Church of Orlando are excited to share with you an opportunity to join us on Saturday, October 24, for a six-hour workshop from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. with Rev. Richard S. Gilbert, a UU minister in New York State for over 40 years, and currently the Social Justice Coordinator for the UU St. Lawrence District. The topic will be energizing our congregations for social change at the grass-roots level in our communities. Registration is required. The cost will be $20, or $15 for registrations received by October 10. You may find more information and register online at www.faithinactionnetwork.info. Please join us! - John Hartgering Abe Lincoln and Frederick Douglass have at it in Vero Beach - The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach begins its third season in partnership with the Florida Humanities Council, presenting programs about Floridians and of interest to Floridians. The first of six presentations will open 2009-2010 on Sunday, October 18 at 7 p.m. at UUFVB’s Emerson Center, when two Chautauquans appear as Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass in “A Meeting of Minds.” With George Frein as Lincoln and Charles Everett Pace as Douglass, the three White House meetings of these two giants will be depicted – as they brought a personal history that included humble originss powerful ambitions, great minds, strong wills, and incomparable eloquence.

This special presentation is in honor of the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s ascendancy to the presidency, and the 200th anniversary of his birth.

The Florida Humanities Series is free and open to the public and is sponsored by Wilmington Trust, with ABC Schumann as print sponsor.

On Sunday, November 22, the Emerson Center will focus on a 5-decade voyage through the world of television sports as seen through the eyes of Doug Wilson, the producer/director of the break-through television series, ABC’s Wide World of Sports. This is a joint fundraiser for the Salvation Army and the Emerson Center, and is sponsored by RBC Bank.

Showtimes are 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and tickets are $30 ($40 at the door). One show plus the 5:30 p.m. VIP Cocktail Reception is $50 per ticket. Students will be charged $15 per ticket if they arrive with their parent(s) or with a student ID. Tickets for open seating are now on sale. Call (772) 778-5249.

Wilson's recollections include personal details gleaned from working alongside athlete/celebrities, including Muhammad Ali, Evel Knievel, Howard Cosell, Jim McKay, Peggy Fleming, Nadia Comaneci, , Scott Hamilton, Brian Boitano, along with special memories of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, and the Special Olympics telecast of 1979.

“The goal is to live in such a way that our lives will prove worth dying for.…The one thing that can’t be taken from us, even by death, is the love we give away before we go.”

“Do what you can, want what you have, and be who you are.” - Rev. Dr. Forrest Church

Northeast Cluster, Florida District, Unitarian Universalist Association Allie Gore, president - [email protected] - 352-547-9670 Carolyn Benton, secretary - [email protected] - 386-775-0755 Bob Mohr, treasurer - [email protected] - 386-258-0816 Claire Arnold, assistant to the treasurer - [email protected] - 516-528-1014 cell, 386-756-0455 home Website - www.uuf.org/northeastcluster

Florida District, Unitarian Universalist Association Florida District Office, Jessica Curren - [email protected] - 407-894-2119 The Rev. Kenneth G. Hurto - [email protected] - 321-422-4625 Website - www.floridadistrict.org