Circle of Fellowship

The First Universalist Church of Central Square

A Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Rev. Margaret Hart, Minister 625-4485

Rev. Libbie Stoddard, Assoc. Minister 343-4352

Tim Hart, President 625-4485

Ronna Schindler, Religious Education Coordinator 623-7685

Rita Thornton, Organist & Choir Director 669-6961

Janie Garlow, Newsletter Editor 436-2238

Our Church Building Is Handicapped Accessible

P. O. Box 429 Routes 49 West & 11

Central Square, NY 13036 (315) 668-6821

January 2007

The mission of the First Universalist Church of Central Square is to be a welcoming, diverse congregation, which values spiritual growth and service to the local and world communities.

                                                        MINISTERIAL MUSINGS
Dear Friends,
I recently had the good fortune to be asked to be on the Nominating Committee for the UU Circle.... and I said “yes”, although I asked that someone else serve with me. Chet agreed, and it was a great experience. We had to creatively think about various people who were not already overly committed to doing things within the church community. We saw it as an opportunity to draw additional people into service. Many of the people we approached said “yes”. Even those who said “no” (and they each had good reasons), indicated that they were honored to have been asked. It struck me that we need to think deeply about ourselves and each other, and find the right ways to serve our beloved church community. Often we need to be asked, specifically, before we agree to serve. Sometimes we can offer to serve in ways that we know we can share our talents. The Nominating Committee will soon be seeking candidates for the Board, to be elected at the June 3 annual church meeting. I hope you will consider whether serving on the Board is something that you would like to do...if you are asked to serve, and can, please say “yes”.... or you could be bold and volunteer!
                                                                                                        With great love and respect,
                                                                                                                                  Margaret Hart

RAMBLINGS OF A RETIRED MIND

I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as they get older. Then, it dawned on me they were cramming for their finals. As for me, I’m just hoping God grades on the curve.

Enjoy Your Days--------------Love Your Life

Life is a journey to be savored

Submitted by Betty Figie

THANK YOU for the generous holiday gift. It was not expected but very much appreciated.

Libbie Stoddard

GUEST AT YOUR TABLE BOXES WILL BE COLLECTED ON SUNDAY JANUARY 14^TH

UU CIRCLE

TheUU Circle will be back to organizing social functions and fundraisers again. The Nominating Committee of the UU Circle, and the church members in general, would like to thank the previous officers of the UU Circle, as well as those who have agreed to serve in the coming year.

Last year they were:                                             This year they are:
President, Tim Hart                                                President, Marilyn Nye
Secretary-Treasurer, Ann Peterson                     Secretary-Treasurer, Ann Peterson
Outreach, Betty Figie                                            Outreach, Larry Linder
Fellowship, Claudia Jenks,                                   Fellowship, Nancy Hallock
Fundraising, Marcia Burrell                                  Fundraising, Glenn Venskus

THE UU CIRCLE MEETING FOR NEW OFFICERS IS SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE SERVICE.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Membership Committee meetings will be held the last Sunday of each month and your ideas are needed on how we can do a better job of attracting and welcoming visitors.

We should make our visitors and new comers feel at home in our church. We can all help by introducing ourselves to visitors and getting to know them. The coffee hour is a perfect time to get better acquitted. We believe we have much to offer. Volunteers are needed to serve as greeters and to provide refreshments and host the coffee hour. For more details see someone on the committee. (Larry, Janie, Lisa, Chet). A “Bring a Friend Sunday” is being planned for February 18 and an orientation session will be held on Saturday March 3. If you are planning to become a church member it would be helpful to attend the orientation. A membership Sunday for welcoming new members will be held March 18.

HOLIDAY MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UUA

There is a pastoral holiday message from President William Sinkford that you can read or listen to on Restoring Hope; Waging Peace at http://www.uua.org/

UNIRONDACK LIAISON SOUGHT

Each UU church in this area is being invited to have someone act as a liaison to our UU camp, Unirondack. This is a job which requires very little time, but establishes an important link between the Central Square congregation and Unirondack. A liaison might post Unirondack materials on a bulletin board, hold a dinner or encourage his or her congregation to lease the camp, help to organize campers for the Labor Day weekend, or encourage attendance at youth and family camps throughout the summer. First and foremost, liaisons are enthusiastic supporters of Unirondack’s mission. If you would like to play this role, please contact Unirondack Board Member Allison Lattin at allison.lattin@unirondack.org

You may want to check out the website at www.unirondack.org or call (845) 675-9901.

COMMON SENSE (SCENTS)

As the congregation is growing (a welcome circumstance!) we find ourselves closer together in the pews. Especially during this season when the church is closed up and the heating system is running we want to be more aware of those among us who have chemical sensitivities. These may include people whose bodies respond unfavorably to such things as perfumes, shaving lotions, soaps, and cleaning or laundry products, or even candles or flowers. Some of these we may not have much control over, but we should be alert to other's sensitivities. If you are one who is made uncomfortable or even ill by these conditions, please let someone know and feel free to change your seat.

LIBERAL RELIGIOUS HOUR NOW AVAILABLE AS PODCAST at www.uuradio.org.

THE HOLIDAYS HAVE COME AND GONE AND WE'RE STILL COOKIN’

We are selling centennial cookbooks at an additional discount price of $5.00 each. Lots of time tested recipes shared by the wonderful cooks in our congregation. They are available in church on Sunday mornings or contact Mary Perkins at marychet@earthlink.net or at 668-6719 to reserve your copy.

SAVE THESE DISTRICT DATES

March 30 thru April 1 ~ Holy Imagination - A Worship Arts Conference ~ Location TBA

April 27 & 28 ~ THE ST LAWRENCE DISTRICT ANNUAL ASSEMBLY IN UTICA

ANNOUNCING THE 2007 UUSC HOLIDAY CARD DESIGN CONTEST

Creative Unitarian Universalists of all ages are invited to submit festive original designs for UUSC holiday cards for the 2007 holiday season. Each year, UUSC holiday card sales help support our worldwide work for human rights. One of these cards could be designed by you! Create an original design that reflects the joy of the holidays, as well as the spirit of justice, equity, and compassion.

Please visit www.uusc.org/ia/holiday_cards/2006/contest2007.html for submission guidelines and to the 2006 award-winning card. Submissions must be received on or before April 27, 2007.

Mail submissions to: UUSC Holiday Card Contest, 130 Prospect Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
E-mail submissions to: volunteerservices@uusc.org”enjoy

UU MINISTERS AND BOARD PRESIDENTS MEETING
Just a reminder that the UU Ministers and Board Presidents (or other church leaders) from the area are due to meet on Jan 10 at 8:30-10:30 AM at the Universalist Society in Central Square. I expect that one thing we will be discussing is the spring communications retreat which we are sponsoring at FUUSS on May 19. Hope to see you on Jan 10. Margaret

COFFEE AND CHAT

The coffee and chat group will meet as usual at 9:15 on January 17^th. This is a chance for the women of the church to join together for conversation in a casual setting. Please contact Nancy Haskell for more information at 635-2594 or email at nhaskell@twcny.rr.com

Hope to see you there!

Several of the men have decided to get together for coffee at that time, too. Check with Chet Perkins if you are interested in joining them at 668-6719 or at marychet@earthlink.net

CNY CUUPS

CNY CUUPS will be holding it's Imbolg Ritual at the morning service of the First Universalist Church of Central Square on Sunday January 28th at 10:30AM. Imbolg is the early spring celebration. While it is cold and barren, there is hope of life returning. "IMBOLG" literally means "in the belly".
Our business meeting will be Wednesday January 24th at 7PM in the Parlor at First UU in Syracuse. We will be discussing Imbolg and its variations (i.e. Brighid's Mass or Candlemas) as well as planning the Ritual. All are welcome to attend.
For more information about CNY CUUPS please contact Jody Brown at 476-0447 or Cindie Murray at 492-6557.

VIDEO AND DISCUSSION GROUP

The Video Discussion Group will meet at the church at 7 p.m. on Friday, January 19. Present plans call for the showing of two video segments. Both are from C-Span 2.

The first is “2006 Great Read in the Park: Religion: A Crisis of Faith.” The panel features Suzanne Oliver, Idilby Ranya and Priscilla Warner, authors of “The Faith Club”; Bart Ehrman, author of “The Lost Gospel of Judas Iscariot: A New Look at Betrayer and Betrayed”; Herbert Krosney, author of “The Lost Gospel: The Quest for the Gospel of Judas Iscariot”; and Chris Hedges, author of “American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America.” Laurie Goodstein, New York Times national religion correspondent, acts as moderator.

The second segment is from “Book TV: After Words.” It features John Danforth, author of "Faith & Politics: How the Moral Values Debate Divides America and How to Move Forward Together." He is interviewed by Charles Haynes, senior scholar at The First Amendment Center.

The whole worth of a kind deed is in the love that inspires it.

The Talmud

THANK YOU all for the generous Christmas gift. It means a lot to me to be remembered.
Margaret Hart

HOW TO BUILD A COMMUNITY

Turn off your TV & leave your house Help carry something heavy

Know your neighbors Barter for your goods

Look up when you are walking Start a tradition & ask a question

Greet people & sit on your stoop Hire young people for odd jobs

Plant flowers Organize a block party

Use your library card & play together Bake extra & share

Buy from local merchants Ask for help when you need it

Share what you have Open your shades & sing together

Help a lost dog Share your skills

Take children to the park Take back the night

Garden together Turn up the music

Support neighborhood schools Turn down the music

Fix it if you didn’t break it Listen before you react to anger

Have pot lucks & honor your elders Meditate a conflict

Pick up litter & read stories aloud Seek to understand

Dance in the street Learn from new & uncomfortable

Talk to the mail carrier Know that no one is silent though many

Listen to the birds & put up a swing are not heard ~ Work to change this

The Social Justice Committee is asking us to consider these ideas on a regular basis.

We know folks do many already, but let’s make a concentrated effort. Each month we will ask you to focus on one suggestion. Look for the How to Build a Community Poster displayed in the dining room at church. The suggestion for this month is: Share What You Have

Treat people as if they were what they ought to be,

and you'll help them to become what they are capable of becoming.

Goethe

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT, TIM HART

     Happy New Year! Lots of good things are, and have been, happening at
our church. The Christmas Dinner was again a great success. Many people were
pleased to have Christmas dinner at our church; Kurt tells me that the first and last
diners were especially touched by our church’s hospitality. Thanks to all of you who
helped out with the dinner, and especially Kurt and Ronna. You really made a
difference. I would also like to thank Kurt, Ronna, and all of you who helped out
with the Roast Beef Dinner held early in December- it was once again a great
success.
      I’d like to take this opportunity to thank several other members of our
congregation. Thanks to all the people who baked for the “sweet treats” sale
(especially Nancy Hallock who baked about half of the sale items). Thanks
to Chet Perkins and Margaret Hart for the wonderful job they did nominating a slate
of candidates for the UU Circle election (and thanks to all the candidates who
agreed to serve).
New Year’s Eve was made special by the efforts of Nancy Hallock who
organized a trip to the Syracuse Stage to see Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol”,
followed by festivities at the church. Thanks also to Bob Haskell for
continuing to facilitate our Friday night video / discussion group (I hear they set a new
attendance record of 17 at the Haskell residence recently).
   A special thanks goes out to Nancy Haskell, Jody Brown, and Mike
DiGiovanni for volunteering their time and talent to play piano and organ for us while
Rita Thorton, our regular musician, is feeling “under the weather” (our thoughts
and prayers are with you Rita).

Up-coming events:
The American Red Cross will be holding a blood drive at our church on
Monday, January 15, from noon until 5:00 p.m. I am going to try to schedule myself
to donate on that day, and hope to see you there.
We will be having a half-day (9-noon) extended Board meeting on Saturday,
March 31. The Board requests that Committees meet before then to develop
goals for the next 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years, which will be presented that day.

Best wishes for the new year,
Tim Hart, Board President

GREEN SANCTUARY

Did you know that we use Fair Trade Coffee during fellowship? It is one small step toward a Green Sanctuary. Learn more at: The Seventh Principle Project

We, also, have for purchase organic candy bars, chocolate, cocoa and other Fair Trade items. They will be available during coffee. For more information contact Nancy Hallock at 675-8357.

THE ST LAWRENCE DISTRICT MINISTRY WITH YOUTH

On Saturday, January 13, 2007 from 2:00-6:00 PM at May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society in Syracuse, youth and adults from around the SLD will gather to discuss our ministry with youth in congregations and at the district level.
For more information, contact Jody Brown, the St. Lawrence District Youth Coordinator at 315-476-0447 or jfb523@gmail.com.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

A congregational meeting of the First Universalist Society of Central Square will be held immediately following the Sunday Service on January 28, 2007. The purpose of this meeting is to have the music committee present their research for a new acoustic or digital piano, discussion and a congregational vote for a piano that would be appropriate for our sanctuary. Thank You

COUNTING THOSE IN THE PEWS

December 2……….33

December 10……….45

December 17……….60

December 24………50

December 31.……...32

SPLINTERS FROM THE BOARD ~ JANUARY 2007 MEETING

A large portion of the meeting regarded discussion about the possible purchase of a piano. Mike DiGiovanni provided a detailed outline of needs and pros and cons to both acoustic and digital pianos and Nancy Haskell also discussed her impression of pianos she has researched. In the end it was decided that the information will be presented to the congregation at a special meeting on Sunday, January 28, 2007 following the service to determine what type of piano would be best and if we will purchase one. There was also lengthy discussion on interim replacement of our organist/choir director while Rita Thornton is recuperating.

Betty Figie has asked that someone fulfill her duties as Registrar for a time while she recuperates and it was decided that Janie Garlow will assume Betty’s position on the Board until Betty is able to return. Sheila Emborski has resigned as Corresponding Secretary due to time and health conflicts. Nancy Hallock will serve in her place until new elections in June.

Steve Garlow will be painting the dining room in the near future. If you would like to offer your help it would be appreciated. Since we will be improving the dining room, a motion was made and approved to replace the old ceiling tiles since they are reasonably inexpensive.

Our building will be used for two important community service events. On January 15 the Red Cross will hold a blood drive and on May 17 Lifeline will provide screening for serious illnesses including stroke, cardiac related illness and osteoporosis.

Ellen LaPine

Recording Secretary

CALENDAR

January
10 8:30-10:30 AM at Central Square...

        Meeting of the UU Ministers and Presidents in this area
14     9:30 AM Social Justice Committee meeting
    10:30 AM Rev. Margaret Hart leads worship
    Guest at Your Table boxes are due with donations

         UU Circle meeting immediately following the Sunday Service
15     Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday
     Noon to 5:00 PM American Red Cross Blood Drive at our church

16    6:45 PM Chanting and Meditation
17    9:15 AM Panera’s Bakery in Clay-women’s and men’s coffee & chat
     6:47 PM Men’s group
21 9:00 AM RE Committee meeting
     10:30 AM Rev. Margaret Hart leads worship
23 6:45 AM Chanting and Meditation
24 6:47 PM Men’s group
28 9:30 AM Membership Committee meeting
     10:30 AM Jody Brown leads worship for Imbolc

         Congregational Meeting ~ Immediately following the Sunday Service
February
4   8:30 AM Board Meeting
    10:30 AM Rev. Margaret Hart leads worship
11    10:30 AM Rev. Libbie Stoddard leads worship after a month’s study leave
Dates to plan for:
Feb 18 Bring a friend to church Sunday
March 3 10:00 AM - Noon Orientation session
March 18 New Member Sunday

Please submit you newsletter articles on or before noon on Saturday, February 3 to mjgarlow@aol.com. Earlier copy would be apprectiated. Thank you for your cooperation.

If you would prefer a hardcopy please let me know mjgarlow@aol.com

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