In Touch First Unitarian Universalist Church of Wichita Founded 1887 November 2011 G Character References for Rob Williams Many of you know Rob Williams who has visited our church on many occasions Chamber Music and participated in social activities, often bringing friends and family members. He has shared with us his struggles with the local penal system and his efforts to Concert Nov. 6 improve his future prospects. He has done some handyman work and odd jobs The first concert of our 15th Annual for various members of our congregation. Chamber Music Series is scheduled However, he is currently facing some tremendous hurdles with the possibility of for 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 6. many years of incarceration. If you feel you would be able to provide a favor- Some of our favorite performers will able character reference for our fellow church member Clyde (Rob) Williams, be bringing musicians new to our please contact Rev. David Carter with your questions and to find out how to space. Harpist Jane Hyde will play frame your remarks. two Claude Debussy pieces with flutist According to Rev. Carter, Rob’s lawyer says that his trial will be in early De- Jennifer Erickson. Betty Hensley has cember and would like to present these letters to the judge prior to the trial. invited her flute choir, The Nightin- If you can have your letter to Rev. Carter within the next two weeks, he will take gale Flutes, to perform. Cellist Susan them to Rob’s attorney with the hope that our positive experiences with Rob will Mayo, plans to play Astor Piazzolla help his chances for a more lenient sentence. tangos with violinist Jeremy Starr and pianist Martin Cuellars. We welcome back two duos; violin- “Oddities Augmented” on Nov. 11 ists Nancy Johnson and Dominique Not only does she sing purty, she knows how to glue real good!. Corbeil; and Carol Neighbor on alto Our own multi-talented Denise Jackson Simon will turn 57 on 11-11-11, and recorder with guitarist Greg Golding. she’s planning an art opening on that auspicious date. Called Oddities Augment- Carol and Greg will play G Minor So- ed, the event will feature Denise’s artful assemblages. nata by the French baroque composer The opening will take place at Rebecca’s in OldTown from 7 to 11 p.m. Jean-Baptiste Loeillet. [BTW, I happen to know she LOVES gadgets and gizmos and gears, so if you Do plan to attend. You will enjoy the have any cute little doohickeys with knobs or a “vintage” look that would look music, experience spiritual renewal, neat-o in a piece of art, you might consider giving them to Denise to maybe use and nibble on some of the finest cook- in one of her creations!] ies served in Wichita. Two other concerts in this series will Matching Funds for Donations/Pledges be held in January and in April. A Taking a cue from public radio pledge drives, an anonymous party has offered to donation of $10 is suggested. match donations at our Sunday, Nov. 20, service (up to a total of $500). This can include payments made toward pledge commitment fulfillment. FOR A GOOD TIME Our church could really use that extra financial boost, so it would be great if attend the we could take full advantage of this offer! If you can’t be at service that day but want to contribute, send your donation in by Nov. 20 and designate it for Happy Hour Polishing Party. “matching funds.” Time TBA. Details? Jeanne deGrasse f or Del Smith will tell all. Grateful for a caring, compassionate, creative community. f Minister’s Musings In Touch The newsletter of The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Wichita is published monthly 316-684-3481 www.FirstUU.net [email protected] Member UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST ASSOCIATION Minister: Rev. David Carter 316-684-3481 [email protected] President: David Brewer 316-687-0002 [email protected] Co-presidents-elect: Carol Clark and Mike Felton [email protected]

Office Manager: Krista Schnee Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 316-684-3481 [email protected]

Director of Religious Education: Denise Jackson-Simon 316-644-2022 [email protected]

Newsletter Editor: Melanie Jenney [email protected]

Webmaster: Jack Regehr [email protected].

The deadline for In Touch and for the monthly calendar is the third Wednesday of each month. Please submit items to: [email protected] or bring to the church office. Late submissions may be omitted. 2 www.FirstUU.net You are Invited: Coming Attraction: Happy Hour Afternoon Tea PLUS Brand New Books! Polishing Party On Sunday, Nov. 20, the Chalice Bookstore will present “New Books in Ye Olde Jeanne deGrasse and Del Smith are Tea Shoppe” with our First UU version of afternoon tea, complete with baked throwing a Happy Hour Tea Service goods available for purchase. Jeanne deGrasse, tea sommelier, will pour. What Polishing Party to prepare for the No- an opportunity to learn the difference between “high tea,” “afternoon tea,” and vember 20th event. [See related article having a “cuppa.” at right.] Millie Cherryholmes and Kathryn Vernon are organizing the bake sale. Don’t We haven’t set the date or time yet, wait for them to ask you, but step up and offer to make your favorite cake, but most likely it will be an evening cookie, nibble or other goodie to enjoy with a cup of tea on the spot or to take the week of November 14th. We’ll home to enjoy later. See them at church or call - Millie, 316-282-3920; Kathryn, have the silver polish, we’ll have the 316-210-2731. rags, we’ll use our own elbow grease, The tea/bake sale is one day only, November 20, but the Chalice Bookstore Fall but the UU Silver Tea Set hasn’t been Sale will continue through December 3. Books have been selected by UUA used in a very, very long time and we Bookstore staff to reflect the interests and diversity of UU congregations. All are can use more help! Coffee and tea and published by Beacon Press or Skinner House Press. If a title is sold out during a cookie or two will be yours. If you the three-week sale, additional copies will be ordered by Chalice Bookstore. want another type of beverage during “Reason to Celebrate: Recipes and creative ideas from the Meatless Monday our Happy Hour Tea Service Polish- Group” will be available for purchase at the bargain price of $5.00. You can be ing Party, feel free. Let Jeanne or Del sure these recipes are well tested and quite tasty! Perfect gifts, we discovered know if you can lend an elbow! when the group published their first cookbook in 2009. Don’t forget that we have a local source for excellent teas at Charles Merrifield’s RE Corner Fair Trade table open each Sunday. We miss seeing several of you at But wait! There’s more! church. We do hope you’ll join us for Some interesting items will be up for silent bidding during the November fun and exciting times on Sundays. 20-December 3 Sale. A lovely afghan (Amy Geyer); gourmet cheesecake (Deb- We have new lessons planned for this bie Wadman); painting (Mary Erickson); chalice necklace (Del Smith); Japanese year, as well as many celebrations and doll (Vivien Minshull-Ford); and two heritage teapots (Anne Welsbacher). special events. Not done yet! We just had our Fall Family Round- We’ve been offered some pristine condition mysteries - not new, but hard to tell up, camp style, which was lots of fun. the difference. They’ll be on sale in the library Chalice Bookstore area. (We And last Sunday, we built a sukkah in never close!) honor of the Jewish harvest holiday and celebrated with a meal inside our All profit goes to First UU’s Operating Fund. sukkah. On Sunday, Oct. 23, high school foreign exchange students shared a bit “Forks Over Knives” Event a of their cultures with us. On Oct. 30, Resounding Success! we honored those close to us who have On Sunday, October 9, 1st UU hosted a showing of the movie, Forks over passed by celebrating the “Day of the Knives, which “examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degen- Dead.” erative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting As November approaches, we will our present menu of animal-based and processed foods.” [www.forksoverknives. have Way Cool Sunday School and com] lessons in the classrooms. Instead of the anticipated audience of 50, approximately 125 people filled the Please try to come. It is much more chairs in the sanctuary. Most of these people were new to the church, and some fun when you are here! expressed an interest in learning more about the church and UUism. Following Denise Jackson-Simon (DRE) the movie, we were treated to some delicious, healthy food including lasagna and chili prepared by d’Sozo’s Chef Miguel. Overall, a resounding success! Zip Lines to Hosaphones! If you missed this but would like to see the movie, it is now available on Netflix or on DVD through the website or on Amazon. And, coming next spring, we For sale, will feature Vegucated (www.getvegucated.com), a film by UU Marisa Miller November 20-December 3 Wolfson! www.FirstUU.net 3 Millie and Kathryn want “Road to Rouen” at Wichita Center for YOU!... (and your best the Arts, November 16-20 ROAD TO ROUEN by Anne Welsbacher Nov. 16-20, cookies and cakes!). Wichita Center for the Arts (near Central and Webb Road) Featuring Melissa Nay, Rob Summers, Beth Wise, and Susan Hearn and directed by John Boldenow Church member Annie Welsbacher’s play ROAD TO ROUEN will be per- formed at the Wichita Center for the Arts the third week of November Wednes- day, November 16, to Sunday, November 20; all shows except Sundays are at 8 p.m., and the Sunday matinee is 2 p.m. The play tells the story of Meg and Stuart, the daughter and ex-husband of world-famous composer Suki Schulman. They have been called to Suki’s Paris apartment for the reading of her will by her attorney and longtime companion, Did you Know? Solange. A surprise clause in the will stipulates that Meg and her father must Answers to FAQs. perform together a new, never-heard Concerto written by Suki or forfeit any proceeds from Suki’s estate. This means Meg must return to the music she aban- If you need a plastic bag at church doned as a child prodigy pianist, and face her estranged father, her surrogate there are two bag holders in the kitch- mother Solange, and memories of her mother and her bitter Chicago childhood. en near the door to the meetinghouse and the door to the storage rooms. While together in Paris, Stuart and Solange try to persuade Meg to return to the piano. As Meg begins exploring the new composition, she makes discoveries If you need a bandage there is a first about her family’s past — love notes from her mother hidden in the music, se- aid kit in the kitchen. crets about the relationship between her mother and Solange, and the previously The recycle bins are to the left of the unrecognized depths of her father’s difficult but real love for her. fridge and paper recycling is also a Annie Welsbacher grew up in the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Wichita, wicker basket near the office door. which her mother Betty joined when the Welsbacher family moved to Wichita in 1958. Betty brought along her husband Dick and son Rick (then “Ricky”); both First Sunday Lunch in have been members of the church since then. Betty died in 2008. Although An- November will feature nie moved away from Wichita from 1981 until 2005, she was a member of UU delicious homemade churches in Minneapolis and Santa Monica, and re-joined First UU when she soups served up hot and and now-husband Corey Swertfager moved back. provided by "Dinners Although the play’s story is not biographical, longtime church members and for 8" participants. friends of the Welsbacher family will recognize elements of its story. Annie’s Please plan to attend! mother Betty was a skilled pianist and well-known music educator. She also composed music, although in contrast with the brilliant classical opii written by the fictional Suki, Betty’s works leaned more to lighthearted ditties for church High Tea? Not quite! fundraisers. Annie’s father Dick does have a politically incorrect tendency to speak ill of the French, as does the fictional Stuart. Both Welsbacher parents But close..... were known to exploit the eccentric musical skills of son Rick, as the fictional Find out the difference on Meg describes them from her own childhood. In particular, the party she de- November 20th. scribes in the play might have been any number of church choir parties from the 1960s and early ’70s. Kitchen Reminders Road to Rouen is directed by Center Theater’s artistic director John Boldenow. Please bring back any of the church’s It features veteran actors Rob Summers as Stuart and Beth Wise as Solange; kitchen items you may have borrowed Wichita newcomer Melissa Nay plays Meg. In addition, a musician representing or accidentally taken home. the musical past of Meg will be performed by Wichita musician and actor Susan Hearn. If YOU’VE misplaced something at church, be sure to check the “lost and For more information, call 316-315-0151, visit wcfta.com or email arts@wcfth. found” in the storage room west of the com. kitchen. Please always label your items in the It’s only right to buy Fair Trade. Guilt-free good taste! fridge and do NOT put open contain- Charles Merrifield has the best chocolate and finest teas! ers (of pop especially) back in the Find him in the church foyer after Sunday services. fridge. Lid it or Forget it! Thanks :) 4 www.FirstUU.net Every Month at First UU Eclectic Readers Full Moon Dances are open to both women and men. Join in the dance to Nov. 18 & Dec. 16 connect with the earth’s power, celebrate the elements, and discover your Selection personal power. Information: C.U.U.P.S. of Wichita, (708) G0-CUUPS or Our November selection is Dan (708) 402-8877. E-mail is [email protected], or on Facebook. Brown’s “The DaVinci Code,” which New Moon Circle meets at the church. Intended to complement the Full sparked interest among many about Moon Dances, we offer this time to gather on the New Moon for study, the history of Christianity, particularly meditation, and ritual exploration of earth-centered spiritual growth. as related to feminist theology. You C.U.U.P.S. of Wichita, has New Moon Circle and Full Moon Danc- may have “seen the movie,” but we es, where the New Moon Circle is a time to gather, for study, meditation recommend you “read the book!” and ritual exploration of earth-centered spiritual growth and Full Moon Members of the group who read the Dances is where everyone’s welcome to join in joyous song and sacred book when it first came out report dance of the full moon as we celebrate the ever-changing wheel of life. enjoying it second time round. It For more information: C.U.U.P.s of Wichita, phone (708) GO-CUUPS or reportedly is the best-selling English (708) 402-8877, [email protected], or on Facebook. language novel of the 21st century and Eclectic Readers group meet the 3rd Friday of the month at 11:30 a.m. at caused controversy in some quarters. the church. Contact: Del Smith, 612-0826 In December we return to a Kansas Book Discussion Group meets on the second Wednesday of each month setting in the novel “The Persian Pick- at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Joe Brewer, 2531 N Roosevelt. You are le Club” by Sandra Dallas. Hard times welcome to attend whether or not you have read the book. Information: in a small town during the Depression 686-8575 were softened for women who par- Ethical Eating group meets the second Monday of every month at 6:30 ticipated in a convivial weekly quilt- p.m. Meal followed/accompanied by round table discussion. Bring a ing group called The Persian Pickle vegan dish to share! Contact Dianne Waltner, 946-1115, or dwaltner@ Club. If that sounds like “chick lit,” sbcglobal.net, for additional information. don’t overlook the fact that it is also Membership Committee meets the 4th Sunday at 10 a.m. a suspense story. Plenty of copies are Personnel Committee meets the 4th Sunday at 10:15 a.m. in the library. available through the public library. Dinners for Eight. Date varies. Contact Maxine Wells, 681-0442 or Mar- All are welcome. We meet at 11:30 cia Ellsworth, 688-5352. on the third Fridays for a brown-bag Music Committee meets the fourth Sunday following service. lunch and discussion. Every Week at First UU Tai Chi classes on Wednesdays, 7 p.m., $5 per class. Dress comfortably. Book Discussion Group Please first contact David Larsen, 612-4726 or [email protected] Cleopatra Adult RE meets Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. in the southwest corner The Book Discussion Group will meet R.E. room. Current topic: Skeptics and Believers. Contact: Corey Swert- on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011 at 7:30 fager, 201-6921 p.m. at the home of Joe Brewer. We Meditation: Establishing a Practice taught by Rev. Carter. This class will be talking about Cleopatra, the is an introduction to Sitting Meditation, helping students learn to bring last queen of Egypt. about a state of inner peacefulness and happiness, learn to reduce stress You are free to choose any book about and to integrate the personality. The class also discusses the philosophy, Cleopatra from novels inspired by goals, and techniques of the Science of Yoga. For further information, her life or even the play by William feel free to contact Rev. Carter by email at [email protected]. Shakespeare. The Wichita Public Meditation and Book Discussion on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. Contact: Bob Library has 52 different listings for Feleppa, 304-9170 Cleopatra. Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) – Meets Sundays at 7 p.m. At our December meeting we will con- SOS is an alternative recovery method for those alcoholics or drug ad- sider the novel Middlesex by Jeffrey dicts who are uncomfortable with the spiritual content of widely available Eugenides which discusses the pursuit of the American Dream and explores 12-Step programs. SOS takes a reasonable, secular approach to recovery gender identity. and maintains that sobriety is a separate issue from religion or spirituality. All are welcome. Call Ryan Howey with questions, 518-8959, or email at Please call Anne Bailey at 943-3861 [email protected]. You can also check out S.O.S.’s Facebook page at: for further information. http://www.facebook.com/SOSWichita. www.FirstUU.net 5 2011 Wichita Alternative Gift Market Find Unique Gift Solutions at the Wichita Alternative Gift Market Solve your gift-giving problems at the 17th annual Alternative Gift Market, Saturday, Nov.12 at Grace Presbyterian Church, 5002 E. Douglas in Wichita Every gift buyer dreads the thought receive cards with descriptive inserts Anyone who is unable to attend an that the gifts they give could soon about their gifts. The cards can be Alternative Gift Market can receive be collecting dust. Gifts are meant personalized and sent to friends and a free catalog by calling 1-800-842- to be appreciated! The solution is an relatives, informing them of the alter- 2243 or visit www.alternativegifts.org “alternative” gift. By shopping at the native gift given in their honor. to order on-line or learn how to initiate Wichita Alternative Gift Market on Mrs. Pat Poulter, new shopper at last an Alternative Gift Market in your November 12, your gift-buying will be year's Market, said, “It was the most community, school or workplace. enjoyable and informative. The mar- glorious shopping day I've ever had in AGI’s main office in Wichita, Kansas, ket, sponsored by dozens of local ser- my life. Christmas shopping-this is the employs just five people, but raises vice organizations and congregations, way it ought to be! It finally felt like it at least one million dollars each year will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. had a point.” in this grass-roots approach to fund- An Alternative Gift Market (AGM) AGM shoppers can sample foods, fair- raising. They operate year-round on offers a wide variety of gifts that are trade crafts and more from around the a 10% share of the gifts purchased tax-deductible and support local and world. The market is an event that the and re-distribute and monitor them global humanitarian and environmen- entire family can enjoy; for kids who through dozens of other humanitarian tal causes. AGMs are a concept of want to learn about and share with and environmental non-profit orga- Alternative Gifts International (AGI), needy children worldwide, for grand- nizations. All gifts made to AGI are a nonprofit organization that inspires parents who enjoy giving caring gifts, tax-deductible. support for such causes by offering and for people who want to reach out More details-such as local co-hosting donors the option to donate chari- toward a better global society with organizations, local project sponsor- table gifts through carefully selected each gift they give. ships, musical groups, and more-will non-profit agencies in honor of their There is something for everyone at be announced soon. Stay tuned for ad- relatives, friends and associates. the Wichita AGM – shoppers and gift ditional media releases and mailings. Gifts of farm animals, medical train- recipients alike. For more information, please contact: ing and supplies, micro-loans, clean The concept began in the early 1980s * Julie Brin, Volunteer, 316-841-4391, water, and textbooks-these are the kind and has grown throughout the USA [email protected] of authentic, life-sustaining gifts made by hundreds of organizations (such as * Laura McFall, Wichita AGM Chair- available through AGI. congregations, social clubs, inter-faith person, 316-684.521684-5215, laura@ Last year’s 2010 Wichita Alterna- groups and schools) hosting AGMs. gracepreschurch.org tive Gift Market (including several Wichita hosts one of the largest such * Tony Princ, Director of Operations, "mini-markets" held after market day markets in the nation. Since the incep- Alternative Gifts International, 316- by co-hosts at their own organizations tion of AGI, more than $23 million 269-0635, [email protected] or congregations) raised $23,467, has been raised for humanitarian and exceeding past sales figures. Of that environmental causes. amount, $19,501 was disbursed to Al- ternative Gifts International to support 41 national and international projects and $3,966 was disbursed amongst six Church Nursery News local agencies: ROCKO, GraceMed, Have you noticed the Church Nursery has been updated recently? Great Plains Nature Center, Ethiopia Painters are needed for the church nursery... if you are interested in donat- Reads, Legacy Ministries and Mothers ing an afternoon, please contact Judy at [email protected] or 706- 4 Mothers. 0412. Earth friendly! No VOC paint An Alternative Gift Market offers an will be used! unusual and timely alternative to the Also, those providing care in the frenzy of holiday gift shopping. At the nursery would appreciate the donation market, shoppers can visit informative of a Glider Rocker (non-finger pincher displays about local and worldwide type) with or without ottoman. First projects. They can purchase items for UU’s sleepy babes will also thank you! the causes that they select and will

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Sunday Programs 9:30 a.m. Adult Religious Exploration 11:00 a.m. Children’s RE and Nursery 11:00 a.m. Worship Service

In This Issue: Upcoming Services Chamber Music Concert Nov. 6...... 1 November Rob Williams References...... 1 6 — Lara Pollock Vision Statement Matching Funds Offer...... 1 13 — Rev. David Carter: It is our Vision: The Joys of Responsibility To be a growing, inclusive, vital Minister’s Musings...... 2 congregation that encourages shared values 20 — Sara Wagner Yost: Chalice Bookstore Update...... 3 amidst differing beliefs and nurtures Gratitude creative exploration of Happy Hour Polishing Party...... 3 27 — Rev. David Carter: intellectual and spiritual paths. RE Corner...... 3 To be a visible community leader Why Do You Ask? “Road to Rouen” Nov. 16-20...... 4 that promotes human equity and compassion, and celebrates life First UU Groups Schedule...... 5 through the arts. Alternative Gift Market...... 6 Rev. Carter’s Mission Statement Church Nursery News...... 6 OFFICE HOURS: Our mission, consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles, November Calendar...... 7 Monday Noon – 3 p.m. is to provide a joyful, safe, healing environment where diversity is embraced. Third Sunday thursday 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. We will inspire and uplift the whole person Socializing! through enriching programs and services Stick around after church, make some sunday for all ages, and serve the larger community new acquaintances and nosh on some 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. through social action tasty tidbits served up by the member- and active promotion of the arts. ship committee. 8 www.FirstUU.net