Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church - Unitarian Universalist

Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church - Unitarian Universalist

Friday E-Mail News           April 30, 2010

Financial News from the Board:

The canvass has yielded far less in pledges than we had hoped, the Board of Trustees has had to make very difficult decisions in the budget process this year. For the first time, we have had to make cuts in staff hours. These include reducing pastoral care/ministerial support by over $6,000, reducing the Religious Education Assistant position from ½ to ¼ time, and reducing the Director of Music position from ¾ to ½ time. In addition, we have had to cut professional expenses. We have also had to make reductions in programs, including cuts to religious education, music, building maintenance, and office expenses among others. Please know that these decisions were not made easily nor quickly; we have spent hours considering the ramifications of the choices we have made.

In light of these drastic decisions, I encourage all members and friends to reconsider your response to the canvass. If you have not pledged, please make the most generous pledge you can. If you have already pledged, consider whether you can give more. The only way we can restore staff hours and program funds is if you, the members of our community, make a larger financial commitment to the work of this church.

Copies of the budget will be available for review after the services on Sunday. The board is committed to restoring funding for ministerial support, RE Assistant, and Director of Music positions if pledges do increase. The congregation will vote on this budget at our meeting on Sunday, May 16. Let us do all we can to fund the work of our beloved community.

In faith,

Pam Philips, President of the Board of Trustees

Sunday Sermon    9:15 AM + 11:15 AM

May 2, Sunday: Sermon - The Dark Night of the Soul

Rev. Dr. Morris W. Hudgins. Literature is filled with writings of the Dark Night. Unitarian Universalists are not known for illuminating the dark side. If we look closely we will see many examples giving us light in the midst of darkness.

RE Classes

Religious Education for children (nursery thru fifth grade) is offered at both the 9:15 AM and 11:15 AM services.

Youth Programming (grades six thru twelve) is offered at 11:15AM.

Church This Week

May 1, Saturday: Labyrinth Walk, 1-2 PM, Outdoors (Rain location: Social Hall)

Join us as we create a “wave of peace” by participating in the global celebration of World Labyrinth Day. People around the world will walk labyrinths at 1 PM. Live harp and native flute music will accompany the walk. Light refreshments will be served. All ages are welcome!

May 1, Saturday: Talents ‘n Treasures Auction, 6-9 PM, All Church

Come for fabulous food, lively libations and good-natured competitive bidding among friends. We will have time to socialize and place bids on silent auction items before the start of the entertaining live auction presided over by Auctioneer Extraordinaire Norman Dill of Harlowe-Powell Auction Gallery. If possible, please bring a platter of finger foods, appetizers or desserts. See you there!

May 2+9, Sundays: A New Photo Directory is Coming Soon!

We will be taking pictures for our new church photo directory in the Social Hall May 20 -22. Representatives from the Membership Committee will be available between services on Sunday, April 25, and May 2+9, to sign church members up for a specific photo time slot. For any questions, please contact Jean Newland at kipandjean@gmail.com.

May 2, Sunday: Memory Book For the McKeeman’s, After both services, Social Hall

Add your sentiments and loving thoughts to the special book we are creating for Gordon and Phyllis McKeeman who are moving to Rochester, Minnesota this month. The book is located in the Social Hall and will be given to Gordon and Phyllis on Sunday, May 9.

May 2, Sunday: Mini-Green Workshop on Renewable Energy in Virginia, 1:00 PM, Parlor.

The Green Sanctuary Task Force hosts Mitch King, president of Old Mill Power Company, to talk about 100% renewable electricity, and answer the question, “Will Virginians Ever Be Able to Buy It?” This year, Virginia’s General Assembly passed, and Governor McDonnell signed, House Bill 92, a bill that legalizes an electricity marketing practice that the National Association of Attorneys General calls “deceptive.” TJMCs Mitch King will explain how this and other actions by Virginia’s state government discourage Virginians from producing and using renewable electricity.

May 2, Sunday: Artist Reception - Tracy Verkerke & Hartwell Priest, 1 PM, Social Hall

These works are from two collections. The first collection by Tracy Verkerke is an exhibit in two parts. The first part is Mantra: Drawings on a Path of Transformation, a quest for quiet, focused on the face of the Buddha. The second part is Re-Envisioning the Founders: T.J., George + Martha. It is a collection of life size portraits exploring mythic, archetypal figures in Revolutionary history. The second collection is from works by Hartwell Priest, a beloved member of our church who died at the age of 100 in 2004. She was n award winning artist known in New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, Washington and Virginia for her graphic prints of floral and abstract expressionism.

May 3, Monday: TnT Meditation, 7:30 PM, Green Room.

May 4+18, Tuesdays: UUppity Women, 7 PM, Parlor & 6 PM,  Social Hall

Mother’s Day is right around the corner! Do you have a funny or tender story about a Mother’s Day gift or celebration? Does your family tend to make more of a fuss over Mother’s Day than Father’s Day? Come relax and reminisce. Light snacks and drinks will be provided. Do not forget to offer your help for the Tuesday, May 18, Elders Dinner. Email uuppities@uucharlottesville.org.

May 4, Tuesday: NatureSpirit, 5:30 PM, Summit Room 1

May 5+12+19+26 June 2, Wednesdays, AFD: Transcendentalism, 2-4 PM, Parlor

Rev. Tony Perrino, our Pastoral Care Minister, will lead a group discussion responding to the video of a highly respected college professor and focus on the lives and philosophy of Emerson, Thoreau, Margaret Fuller and other Unitarian figures. 

May 5+12+19+26, Wednesdays: Vespers, 5 PM, Parlor

We begin with a half hour of quiet gathering in Parlor at 5:30 PM, which you may join at any point. Then we have a half hour worship service at 6 PM; please plan to arrive before this service begins. Child care is provided if reservations are received by the Wednesday before. If you have questions, email Lynn Horwitz, Vespers Associate, at lynhorwitz@aol.com. Topics May: May 5-Mother’s Love; May 12-Accepting Our Limitations; May 19-Attitude: The Law of the Garbage Truck; May 26-Salvation. 

May 5, Wednesday: First Wednesday Movie Night, 7 PM, Parlor

Our movie this month will be Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont, a very touching British movie starring Joan Plowright. Rev. Tony Perrino, Minister of Pastoral Care, lead the meeting.

May 6 +13+2+27, Thursdays: Active Minds, 1 PM, Parlor

May 6, Thursday: Finance, 7:30 PM, Social Hall

May 7, Friday: Food Pantry, 9:30 AM, Social Hall

May 8+15, Saturdays: AFD: Understanding Your Dreams, 10 AM-2 PM, Parlor

Come and discover through lecture and discussion how dreams, which come from our deepest, wisest selves, can promote personal growth and healing. Registration fee ($8) includes a 50 page manual. For more information or to register, contact Leia Durland-Jones at leiadj@embarqmail.com

May 9, Sunday: Sermon - The Subtle Sin of Sentimentality, 9:15 AM + 11:15 AM

Rev. Tony Perrino. At the 11:15 AM service there will be a child dedication and Rev. Dr. Morris W. Hudgins will read “A Letter to My Mom.”

May 9, Sunday: UU Christian Fellowship, 9:15 AM, Summit Room 1

Rev. Dr. Morris Hudgins will lead our service. His topic is titled “Jesus’ Death: Who is to Blame?” This is our final meeting of the fiscal year. Our Sunday morning services will resume in the fall.

May 9, Sunday: Peace Action-United Nations, 10:30 AM, Green Room

Please Note: This changed schedule is an experiment. We will be planning our tabling for Sunday, May 23, a Peace and UN Concerns and Issues List, an opportunity for the congregation’s participation to help us choose peace and UN issues for action. We welcome your input.

Church Notes & Requests for Help

Scrip Reminder: Register at ShopWithScrip.com using our enrollment code 5BCFD27A2L439, and see just how easy it is to put your shopping dollars to work earning money for TJMC.  Our Grocery Scrip sales are down 25% from last year. Remember to stop by the Scrip table on Sundays and stock up on Kroger, Giant, Food Lion, Whole Foods, Integral Yoga and Rebecca’s Scrip.  In addition, we continue to stock a limited selection of ShopWithScrip GiftCards for popular stores for cash and carry sales. Each time you use Scrip instead of other payment methods for making your ordinary purchases, TJMC is given a percentage of your purchases by participating retailers.

TJMC UUsed BookStore: Our UUsed BookStore is open for business each Sunday in the Social Hall during coffee hour. The stock is rotated frequently, so stop by each week and check out what is new. The selection includes fiction, non-fiction, spirituality, reference and children’s books, all at prices so low you can buy a book, read it, and donate it back for someone else to enjoy. Donations are welcome. Please leave them in the Summit House kitchen alcove or on the front porch if the building is locked.

Religious Education Supply Wish List: stickers and poster paints. Please leave donations in the marked bin at the Edgewood Lane entrance.

The Adult Faith Development Committee is soliciting ideas for our fall semester classes. Is there something in particular you would like to see offered? Would you like to lead a course? Do you have a course leader to recommend? We would love to hear from you! Contact AFD Chair, Holly Dilatush at 295-9716 or holly@dilatush.com.

Church Upcoming Dates

May 10, Monday: TnT Worship, 7:30 PM, Parlor

May 11, Tuesday: UU World Discussion Group! 6:30 PM, C’Ville Coffee Shop

Meet at C’Ville Coffee Shop, Harris St., to discuss the most recent UU World magazine - letters to the editor, book reviews, articles, advertisements, whatever - discussion questions listed in the back of the magazine can be used to spark our discussions. Contact Holly Dilatush at 960-7177 or holly@dilatush.com for more information.

May 12, Monday: Undoing Racism, 7 PM, Social Hall

May 12, Wednesday: IT, 7 PM, Summit Room 1

May 12+26, Wednesday: Back Page Writers, 7 PM, Green Room

All writers are welcome. This is a small group where it is voluntary to share a small piece to the group for feedback. There are also one or two writing prompts each meeting, some prompts are based on UU writings. Questions? Contact Joyce Moore at 327-3696 or joyce@rggld.org.

May 15, Saturday: UU Christian Fellowship Retreat - Rescheduled for June 5 -

May 15, Saturday: RE Teacher Appreciation Dinner, 5-7 PM, Social Hall

Free Food!! Everyone (including spouses and children) who has volunteered in our Children, Youth or Adult religious education programming this year is cordially invited. Michael Manto and Lorie Craddock will be cooking up some Really Good Italian Food. Please RSVP to lorie1963@aol.com by Wednesday, May 12.

May 15, Saturday: Game Night, 7 PM, Social Hall

May 16, Sunday: Sermon - Awakened by the Gift of Grace, 9:15 AM + 11:15 AM

Music Service, KaeRenae Mitchell, Dir. of Music. The Adult Choir, Treble Choir, Sam Scott, Terra Voce (Elizabeth Brightbill, flute, and Andrew Gabbert, cello) and guest instrumentalists will share in these special services celebrating music. A new hymn written by KaeRenae will be introduced to the congregation.

May 16, Sunday: Social Action Collection - Play Partners

Play Partners, a program of Children, Youth, and Family Services, Inc. (CYFS), promotes the development of early literacy skills, targeting preschool children from low-income families. Trained volunteer teams bring enrichment activities to children in day care settings, including family day care homes. Volunteers introduce a book and present activities that extend the concepts and vocabulary in the story. The children then take home their own copy of the selected story. Your generous donations this month will help purchase books and materials for the children in the program.

May 16, Sunday: Congregational Meeting, 12:30 PM, Sanctuary

May 16, Sunday: Coming of Age Lunch, 12:30, Social Hall

May 16, Sunday: Pastoral Visitors, 1 PM, Parlor

May 16, Sunday: Green Sanctuary - Eco-Tour of Quality Community Center’s Urban Farm, 2 PM, Offsite

The Green Sanctuary Task Force invites you to come with us after the Congregational Meeting for a tour of Charlottesville’s Urban Farm, the Garden of Goodness, on Sixth Street SE and Monticello Avenue. Children in the Earth Stewards Stars Studio made bead decorations for cloth bags to be donated to people who work and harvest the produce in this neighborhood lot. Carpool from the church parking lot at 1:30 PM or join us there. For more information, contact Leia Durland-Jones at leiadj@embarqmail.com or Sharon Baiocco at green@uucharlottesville.org.

May 18, Tuesday: Elder’s Dinner, 6 PM, Social Hall

Each year the UUppity Women invite our Elders to dinner to celebrate the wisdom of their personal history, and to enjoy our community of love and respect. This dinner started as a way of honoring the members of The Alliance, and has been expanded to include both men and women 70 years and over. If you are newly 70, or new to our congregation, please let us know, so we can send you an invitation. We are happy to provide rides if you are no longer driving. Invitations will be mailed in late April. If you are an Elder and do not receive one by Monday, May 3, please let us know. For more information contact uuppities@uucharlottesville.org.

May 19, Wednesday: Environmental Action Committee, 7 PM, Parlor

Come help us plan our June 12-13 Mountaintop Removal Site Visit to Kayford Mountain, WV, and to plan our Interfaith Vigil for the Mountains and People of Appalachia in October. Even if you cannot attend, we have lots of projects you can help with. Contact Sharon Baiocco at green@uucharlottesville.org.

May 20, Thursday: UU Christian Fellowship, 7 PM, Summit Room 2

Eleanor May will lead our regular Thursday evening service with hymn singing, Bible study, and meditation.

May 23, Sunday: Sermon - Shared Ministry, 9:15 AM + 11:15 AM

Rev. Dr. Morris W. Hudgins &Alex McGee. Alexandra McGee, a graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry, and Rev. Hudgins will share their views of ministry. We will recognize new members, volunteers and celebrate our shared ministry as a community.

May 30, Sunday: 10 AM Service Starts

May 30, Sunday: Sermon - Letting Go, 10 AM

Rev. Dr. Morris W. Hudgins. On this Memorial weekend we will honor our soldiers and dramatize The War Prayer by Mark Twain. We will also reflect on the words of Mary Oliver: “To live in this world you must be able to do three things: To love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and, when the times comes to let it go, to let it go.”

May 31, Monday: Church Office Closed for Memorial Day

June 5, Saturday: UU Christian Fellowship Retreat, 9 AM, Offsite.

June 6, Sunday: All Church Pot Luck Picnic, 11 AM, All Church.

Save the date and come to our All Church Pot Luck Picnic with ice cream sundaes and drinks provided. It will be sponsored by the Board, the RE Council and the Membership Committee. Come join us as we celebrate the end of this church year and honor our interim minister, Rev. Dr. Morris Hudgins. For any questions or concerns, please contact Jean Newland at 962-9676 or kipandjean@gmail.com.

June 20, Sunday: Greg Greenway Concert, 7 PM, Sanctuary

Greg Greenway will be coming to Charlottesville! He will be playing during the Sunday service and doing a concert in the evening at 7 PM in the Sanctuary. Greg is a soulful and moving singer, a powerful poet, and a sparkling entertainer. Originally from Richmond, he moved to Boston for its rich Folk Music tradition and has become one of its most unique and superlative emissaries. Drawing inspiration from gospel, rock, blues, jazz, and world music, Greg continues the singer/songwriter tradition that traces its roots back to the social awareness of Woody Guthrie. Greg’s central appeal comes through the singular lens of his humanity and his easy affinity for his audience.

August 21, Saturday: Yard Sale Alert!

The Eleventh Annual “TJMC Back-To-School Yard Sale Extravaganza” is scheduled for Saturday, August 21. Please set aside your excess furniture, household items, electronics, toys, books, DVDs, and CDs for the sale. Limited pre-sale storage space is available if needed. Questions?  Write yardsale@uucharlottesville.org.