OUR MISSION STATEMENT

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

 

JULY 2007

                                                         MINISTERIAL MUSINGS

Dear friends,
    I want to take this opportunity to extend a special thank you to the Rev. Libbie Stoddard who has faithfully served our church for almost nine years.  She served formally as my mentor when I was in seminary, and has been a source of guidance and support for longer than that. She will be retiring as of July 10, so her role with the church will change.  I’m sure she will be missed by many.  But she will continue to be a presence in many people’s lives, and they in hers.  She was honored at the annual meeting in June by being named “Minister Emerita”.  I’m sure people will continue to honor her in her new role as retired minister.  She has certainly earned that.
    I would also like to thank those who have served on the Ministerial Advisory Committee; Kate Stanton, Chet Perkins, Janie Garlow, Bob Haskell, and Marcia Moore.  Marcia has been away a lot in the last couple of years, but has participated when she can.  Janie and Chet have recently become the President and Vice President of the Board, and Bob has submitted his resignation from the committee, so we are in the process of reconstituting the committee.  Many thanks to those who have served for their work, and to Kate for continuing to chair the committee. It is an essential committee to support the work of ministry within our church and in the broader community.  Thank you.
    There was recently the installation of new chaplains at University Hospital.  Since
one of them was a Unitarian Universalist, the Rev. Betsy Spaulding, I was asked to lead a chalice lighting.  Betsy, from First UU in Syracuse, is a pediatric chaplain there. It was a beautiful ceremony.   
    I also want to take this opportunity to remind you that we will not be having church on Labor Day weekend, and to ask you to bring a small vial of water or a small stone to our water communion / in-gathering service on September 9.  We will be holding church services throughout the summer, and I hope to see many of you there.
    With love and respect,
    Margaret

                                  COVENANT BETWEEN THE REVEREND LIBBIE STODDARD

                             AND THE FIRST UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY OF CENTRAL SQUARE

On July 1, 2007, the executive board passed and approved the following:

     The First Universalist Society of Central Square invites the Reverend Libbie Deverich Stoddard as Minister Emerita to participate in the following, with the recognition that Reverend Stoddard chooses to participate mindful of her adherence to the practices and ethics of the Unitatian Universalist Association of Congregations:

 

-To preside at namings, weddings, and funerals for this congregation when requested.

- To conduct religious education seminars planned with the called minister or other personnel to be offered to church members and guests.

- To act in the role of support and advisement as requested by other ministers and associate personnel.

- Open invitation by the congregation to attend church services and other church functions as the Reverend Stoddard chooses.

                                                         A RECEPTION FOR LIBBIE

There will be an informal reception for Libbie on Sunday, July 8 following the Sunday Service.  Hope to see you there! 

                                                                             

                                                   MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Dear Friends,

    Yesterday morning the newly elected board had their first executive board meeting.  We have a great group of dedicated members. I know we will work well together.  I want to thank our out going board, especially Tim Hart for all his good energy as board president last year.  People have separate lives and challenges and we are grateful for what members leave behind in order to attend meetings and work effectively. The board is the “ultimate exercise of teamwork”. 

    This year we are trying something new though it is practiced in many congregations.   We are scheduling an agenda planning meeting prior to the actual meeting.  A small group of board members sit over coffee and work out the details.  This way we get much of the preparation done and can bring it to the board. This facilitates the actual board meeting and is time effective. Some of us retired folks have more time to dedicate to this than busy working people, but as a newly retired person, I am realizing this is a falsehood. Anyway, we are having fun and it gives us an opportunity to get to know each other informally and deeper sharing.    

    Below are a few of the items we voted on at the board meeting, July 1, 2007.

Much of the prep was done at the planning meeting or before so we were able to present it and make decisions:

1. Clean out ~ we are hiring a person to remove the heavy items, for example the two old 

    refrigerators, old piano, old desk, old ceiling tiles, piano sound board and the list goes  

    on…

2. With these items out of the way, we can begin to put together Margaret’s office and the 

    nursery. Timeline is the end of July.

3. Hiring of an office assistant. We have two applicants and will accept others, if you know      

    of any one who may be interested.

4. Pay scale guidelines for worship committee when arranging services now that Libbie is 

    retiring.

5. Contract for Andrea Abbott.

6. Covenant with the Rev Libbie Stoddard and the Congregation

     Mary Perkins has been very instrumental in trying to organizing the committees and gave a report. Bob Haskell updated our by-laws.  Now we need a corporate lawyer to review them.  If you know of anyone, please contact Mary or Janie Garlow who will tell Mary as she will be in Maine for part of the summer. 

     I want you to know, that You are the Church. The board makes decisions on what is best for the church.  Here is an excerpt from our by-laws; “To the best of their knowledge, board members shall try to reflect in their actions, the wishes and best interests of the congregation as a whole.”  We hope to keep lines of communication open.  We are there for you!  We are “subject to the prime authority of the congregation”, again from our by-laws.

With warm appreciation for all you do,

Janie Garlow,

Board President

 

                                                          WHAT IS FAIR TRADE?

     The SJC buys coffee, tea, cocoa and candy bars from Equal Change through their Interfaith Program. We order these Fair trade products at wholesale prices. But what does “Fair Trade” mean and why is this, a good idea for us and the farmers?

     Equal Exchange is a democratically organized cooperative founded in 1986 built upon fairness between farmer and consumers. The present network enables farmers in Latin America, Africa and Asia to work their modest plots but now as local co-ops, more profits reach the farmers. The long term relationships allow the farmers to make investments in their land, in education and improve social services to local communities. There are many environment advantages, too.

     Equal Exchange works with 30 farm co=ops in 15 countries and is committed to sustainable organic agriculture. 100% of the cocoa, tea and sugar is certified organic and 90% of the coffee. Also, most of the organic coffee is shade grown. Much more information is available at church and on their website: www.equalexchange.com .

     I am placing am order for the church soon, tentative date July 20.  The shipping is free when 3 cases are ordered. You can combine orders or get mixed cases. See details at the website or check the order sheet in the plastic bin in the dining room at church. Prices are listed.

     The UU Circle has organized a candy sale. Please consider taking a box to work or share with friends; 12 bars per box, assorted flavors at $3.00 per bar. Take along a couple of Equal Exchange flyers and help us raise funds for the church.

STORE IN A COOL PLACE!                                     Submitted by Nancy Hallock and the SJC

 

                                                               GREEN MINUTES

     Compact Florescent vs incandescent light bulbs.  We've heard a lot about changing to florescent but since they contain mercury are they a concern since most people throw old bulbs away in the trash?  The environmental benefits of florescent bulbs outweigh the mercury released into the atmosphere.

     If each of us switched just five incandescent light bulbs into florescent bulbs, we could reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 900 pounds per year and because florescent bulbs are so long lasting, we'd save over $45 per bulb over their lifetime. 

     Florescent bulbs should not be thrown into the trash.  In Oswego County you can bring bulbs to any transfer station.  In Onondaga County OCRRA accepts florescent bulbs on household hazardous waste collection days.  Visit www.dec.ny.gov or www.lamprecycle.org to find out more information.

The Social Justice Committee "Green Team"

 

JULY RETURNABLE BOTTLE DRIVE

      Man it's hot out there!  In July we often use more bottled beverages than in other months of the year to beat the heat.  Why not bring those bottles to church for recycling.  During the month of July, the Social Justice Committee is having a bottle drive to support the environment and our church.  Please bring in your returnable bottles and Larry and Judy Linder will take them to the North Country Redemption Center who will give the deposit fees to the church.

     If you'd like to take this one step further, contact your state representatives and tell them you want them to support the bigger, better, bottle bill.  Let's make all bottles

returnable soon!!

                                                                    UU CIRCLE

     The UU Circle is sponsoring a garage sale. It will be held August 11, 2007 between the hours of 9:00am and 3PM in the Church parking lot. Only good stuff please. If you bring it and it doesn't sell, it goes back home with you.

     Volunteers to help, price and set up as well as helping to sell the goods would be appreciated.  Even and hour or two would be wonderful.

 

                                                          COFFEE AND CHAT

     The Coffee and Chat group will meet on July 18th at Panera's on Route 31 in Clay at 9:15 a.m.  All women of the church are welcome to join us for casual conversation, coffee or tea, and goodies.  Contact Janie at 436-2238 or mjgarlow@aol.com for further information. The men will also meet at that time, contact person is Chet Perkins at 668-6719 or marychet@earthlink.net .  Hope to see you there!

 

                                                  VIDEO AND DISCUSSION GROUP       

     The Video Discussion Group will meet at the church at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 20. The group will watch the PBS program "Bill Moyers Journal." In this episode, Bill Moyers talks with acclaimed writer and peacemaker Maxine Hong Kingston  about her writing, her activism, and her work helping soldiers returning from war find peace within themselves through writing.
     If time permits, the group will watch a segment in which Melissa Harris-Lacewell confronts head-on the issue of constructively discussing race in America and the place for this conversation in U.S. politics. 

       

                                                             GRINDSTONE FARM

     Grindstone Farm is a local source of home grown organic produce. They make weekly deliveries and have wonderful foods for sale including fruits, vegetables, juice, honey and eggs. I can arrange a delivery at church. You cansign up and place orders online or by phone. Details are in flyers at church and on their website www.grindstonefarm.com .

Please let me know if you plan to sign up. Thank you, Nancy Hallock at 675-8357

 

                                                           RECYCLING BOOKS

     Sheila Emborski recently read that libraries in New Orleans are accepting donations of books to replace those lost during the flooding.  It might be possible to work with a shipper to send them at a reduced rate or free as a community action to help New Orleans.  She would be willing to research this to find out if a shipper would be willing to work with us on this.  We might be able to do this as a congregational activity to collect and box books from our members to ship to New Orleans.  She will see if there is a contact in New Orleans to send books to. If you have any ideas, please contact Sheila at remborsk@twcny.rr.com

 

                                                ST LAWRENCE DISTRICT WORKSHOPS

Don't forget to mark your calendars with the following dates and register for any event you may be interested in attending.

July 21, 2007 - Spirit Play Training (First UU Society of Syracuse, NY)
http://www.sld.uua.org/       
Click on "Calendar" for the flyer & registration form - limited space available

July 28-August 3, 2007 - Unitarian Universalist Leadership Team Institute

(Juniata College, Huntingdon, PA)  
www.murraygrove.org/institute.html

September 29, 2007 - Annual Fall Ingathering for Religious Educators (Ithaca, NY)
http://www.sld.uua.org/

Click on "Calendar" for the flyer/registration form

September 29, 2007 - Presidents Annual Conference (Central Square, NY)
SAVE THE DATE - Details to follow soon!

October 12-13, 2007 - New York State Convention of Universalists Annual Meeting
SAVE THE DATE - Details to follow soon!

October 12-14, 2007 - Weekend at Silver Bay http://www.albanyuu.org/indexb.html

October 20, 2007 - Social Justice Conference (Syracuse May Memorial)
Be The Change You Want To See - Politics & Justice in NYS And Beyond
Registration materials will be out in September.

October 27, 2007 - History Preservation (Syracuse May Memorial)
SAVE THE DATE - Details to follow soon!

November 9-11, 2007 - Renaissance Module on RE Administration
(Syracuse May Memorial)  SAVE THE DATE - Details to follow soon!

November 10, 2007 - History Preservation (Schenectady, NY)
SAVE THE DATE - Details to follow soon!    

                                                                             

                                                    UUA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

UUA.org: from Portland to the World!

Unitarian Universalists congregated in Portland, Oregon, for the 46th annual General Assembly. Visit the website to enjoy the essence and diversity of our Unitarian Universalist faith. This year's General Assembly explored the theme "Choices That Matter". For the first time, GA attendees used a process called Open Space Technology to consider the mission of Unitarian Universalists as a faith community.

 

                                            SYRACUSE – HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Greetings!
My name is Tim Scott and I am stepping in, once again, as volunteer coordinator. Unfortunately we do not yet have any builds in progress although there a couple waiting on permits. In the meantime our ReStore desperately needs help. The ReStore is one of the ways in which Habitat raises funds for its builds. One of the things the ReStore is "deconstruct" houses. This means removing re-usable materials (such as windows and doors) from houses that are about to be demolished. The ReStore has been offered the opportunity to deconstruct a house within the next 2 or 3 weeks but lacks the necessary manpower. Can you help?

Other needs the ReStore faces are:
    1. Cashiers for all hours the restore is open;
    2. Clerks to help customers and stock donations;
    3. Sign makers every other week to make signs for items in the store and for putting on       

        the rolling sign outside;
    4. Pick-up teams - each team consists of 2 people to go out with our truck to get donations on Saturdays, bi-weekly or monthly.

If you can help please contact Greg Wright directly at 374-9054 or gawchecker@yahoo.com
  Many thanks,
  Tim Scott
  Volunteer Coordinator
  Syracuse-Habitat for Humanity

 

                                                        SEARCH FOR OLD PHOTOS

Heather Stevens from Project Bloom of Central Square is compiling history articles on the past mayors. She is requesting any photos of the following people that she could copy or purchase a copy. They are: E. T. Conterman, Herman P. Goettel, William T. Reymore, Dr. William H. Birrell, Charles  M. Boyke, Case J. Chiler, Charles J. Yorkey, William J. Metz, David B. Weatherup,  Milton L. Dunham, Donald F. Dixon, George G. Traub Jr., Millard W. Murphy, Randy W. Brooks or Micheal Dixon. She will be very grateful for any assistance you may offer. 

 

 

There is a wonderful website to find out about the UU Green Sanctuary Program

at www.uumfe.org. 

 

Join the community concert series in Goettel Park in Central Square on Wednesday evenings starting July 11. Bring you lawn chair and enjoy the sounds of summer.

 

There will be a showing of the Ground Truth in Oswego on July 19th. For more information will follow in the weekly announcements or contact Winfield Ihlow at  Ihlow@oswego.edu                                                        

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

 

The next Newsletter deadline is noon on August 4^th.  Bob Haskell has been kind enough to take over the newsletter. Please be prompt in sending your articles to Bob at rhaskell@twcny.rr.com . Earlier submissions are always very much appreciated.

Thank you for your cooperation!     

 

Don’t forget to bring those bottles to church for our bottle drive the month of July. Look for the container in the dining room. Together we can make a difference. Thanks!

 

                                                      CHURCH CALENDAR

JULY
08    Rev.Libbie Stoddard leads worship. The topic of Libbie's sermon is:

        If Not Now, When?  Rabbi Hillel

        Reception for Libbie following the Sunday Service 
11    6:00 pm  Veteran Care Project meeting
15    Rev. David W. Weissbard, guest speaker
18    9:15 am coffee & chat at Panera’s
19    7:30 pm Menopause the Musical at Syracuse Stage
20    7:00 pm video/discussion
22    Hymn Sing ~ Please write your favorite hymns on a slip of paper and put it in the
        box so designated.
29    Rev. Margaret Hart leads worship

AUGUST
5     Jim Pangborn, guest speaker

        9:00 am Executive Board meeting
12    Andrea Abbott facilitates worship, with two people sharing their
        spiritual journeys
15    9:15 am coffee & chat at Paneras
19    Rev. Margaret Hart leads worship
26    Kim Schuler-Teachout leads worship
SEPTEMBER
02    no church service- Happy Labor Day!
05    8:30 am UU Ministers and Board Presidents meet
09    Rev. Margaret Hart leads worship- In-gathering Water Communion

Regular meetings-
Chanting and Meditation Tuesday evenings at 6:45 PM

Men’s Group Wednesday evenings at 6:47 PM