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Walking the Spiral Path
It is hard to believe that May is upon us and that our church school year is winding down! We have had a wonderful year full of incredible growth and learning for all ages. My hope is that as you reflect back upon your own or your family’s experiences, you are able to note ways in which you are a different person from the one who walked through our church’s doors last September (or whenever you joined us.) I hope that in some way, either large or small, you can see that as a person you have changed because of something you experienced through church. I hope that you have been challenged to grow, think, or “be” in a way that has brought you some sense of transformation. And if you have not really given this any thought, I encourage you to take a few minutes right now to do so. I would love to hear what comes up for you during your reflection.
As I think back on the year, our exploration together of monthly ministry themes stands out in my mind as particularly significant. Here is a recap of this year’s themes in case you are trying to recall what they were: hospitality, atonement, gratitude, incarnation, death, justice, grace, and creation. This month, we will explore “faith” and then in June, our theme is “Letting Go.”
I have especially enjoyed the Adult Faith Development classes focusing on the monthly themes – such wonderful gatherings full of rich conversation and sharing! The Worship Weavers, Erik and I are already working to determine the ministry themes that will shape next year’s programming. I am so happy with our thematic approach to ministry on Sunday mornings and for the opportunity this format provides for multigenerational conversations.
As we begin our transition to summer Sundays, I offer my appreciation to everyone who has volunteered – both in our learning environments and behind the scenes – to make our religious education program possible this year. Our RE programs for children, youth and adults truly would not happen without the involvement of so many dedicated individuals. You know who you are and I thank you!
My wish is that summer brings to all of us times for rest and renewal as well as a less harried daily pace. Jen Edelson, Children’s RE Committee member, is coordinating times and places outside of Sunday morning for all of us to gather during the summer months so that we are able to continue building our connections with one another while sharing some favorite summer spots. We are thinking hikes, swimming holes, picnics, etc. Look for the details in the church’s Friday emails and the Sunday order of service announcement insert.
With appreciation,
Leia Durland-Jones
Director of Religious Education
Thank You To:
- The 2011-2012 Children’s RE Committee Members: Michelle Benedict, Jen Edelson, Krysti Mayers, Jamie McReynolds, Kelly Oehler, Cathey Polly (chair), Allison Pugh, Jenny Reid, Cathy Sanders, Callie Smith, Kristin Taverna, Kasha Viets-Wood
- The 2011-2012 Youth Programs Committee Members: Julianne Allen, Margaret Gorman (chair), Suzanne Ludwick, Pam McIntire, Katharine Maus, Bev Ryan, Carolyn Schuyler, Regina Voss
- The 2011-2012 Adult Faith Development Committee Members: Holly Dilatush (chair), George Jones, Jamie McReynolds, Pam Philips, Barbara Shenefield
- The 2011-2012 Lifespan Faith Development Council Members: Margaret Gorman, Don Landis (Board representative) Patricia Millman (chair), Cathey Polly
Religious Education Volunteer Appreciation Bagel Brunch
As a way of showing our thanks to everyone who helped make our children, youth and adult religious education programs such a success this year, the Children’s RE Committee is hosting a bagel brunch after both services on Sunday, May 6. Bagels and a variety of toppings will be provided. Come and let yourself be appreciated!
2012-2013 RE Registration Begins Soon
Our registration process will be electronic (with paper options for those who prefer). Watch your email and the church website for all the details. All children (infant through seniors in high school) must be registered to participate in the religious education program.
TJMC UU SUUper Sunday Summer Camp Begins May 27
Infants through rising sixth graders are invited to participate in summer Sunday morning programming! It may be hot outside but our summer Sunday activities will be super cool with a focus on nature and science. The program is “cooperative” requiring parents’ help. The number of Sundays parents are asked to volunteer depends on the number of families participating in the program. Registration is required and begins Sunday, May 6. Questions? Contact Robyn Fogler, RE Assistant, at robynf@embarqmail.com.
Sign Up for Weekly Electronic
RE Updates
The weekly Religious Education Update connects you with information about what is happening in the children and youth program for the upcoming Sunday. To have your name added to the email list, contact our Leia Durland-Jones, DRE, at leiadj@embarqmail.com.
Save the Dates:
April 29 May Day/Beltane Celebration on the outdoor labyrinth
May 2 Youth Programs Com. Mtg. 7-9 PM
May 5 TJMC celebrates World Labyrinth day 1 PM
May 6 Child Dedication Ceremony, RE Volunteer Bagel Brunch
May 23 Children’s RE Com. Mtg. 7-9 PM
May 27 SUUper Sunday Summer Camp
Our Mission is the Budget
Over the course of the next couple of weeks the Board, having received input from groups throughout the church and advice from the Finance Committee, will develop a budget for 2012–2013 for presentation and approval by the congregation at the Sunday, May 20, Congregational Meeting.
As always there are many competing needs and while we are fortunate to be in a position this year to add rather than cut, we will still have to make some tough choices. At the top of our list is support for our current, hard working staff. Right behind this is the need to build and support both the human and physical structure of the church. This includes the recognition of the need for an increase in professional staff, an enhanced IT system, a more robust buildings maintenance program, and of course monies to support the extensive array of programs.
A successful pledge drive means we will be in position to act on several of these areas, but not necessarily all. A critical guiding principal as we grapple with these challenges will be the question of how well each line item of the budget supports the mission of the church. (For more information on our mission please go to our website at uucharlottesville.org and click on about us.)
Clearly we are not in the business of creating jobs, and some would argue that buildings are less critical than worship, social outreach and community life. On one level they would be right. On the other hand it has become clear that the prudent investment in professional staff would significantly improve the ability of volunteers (and existing staff) to focus their time and efforts on programs that more directly support the mission of the church. And a better maintenance program for our buildings, and a properly functioning IT system would pay huge dividends in terms of reduced wasted time and frustration by both professional and volunteer staff.
Looking ahead it would also be nice to build reserves for projects that further promote our seven principals. As such, the budget is obviously not just about salaries and utility bills, but about the very essence of our mission. Please support the Board with your thoughts and with your presence at the upcoming meeting as we seek to act in the best interests of our mission and the future of your beloved community.
In Faith,
Ian Sole
FaceBook. Some people love it; some people hate it. Some are addicted to it; some are confused by it. Some are excited by its possibilities; some are worried about its potentials. Whichever side of this divide you fall on, however, it is clear that FaceBook is a phenomenon in our society and one that is changing the way we live. It’s been said that, “FaceBook has completely and radically revolutionized the way we waste time.” It is that, but it’s more than that, of course.
FaceBook is becoming an ever increasing part of our lives here at TJMC, too. Our FaceBook page is a lively (cyber) community, and a lot of people are feeling increasingly connected to our church through it. Others, though, are feeling left out and are worried about FaceBook creating a wedge within our congregation – those who are “on” and those who aren’t. I want to use my column this month to address this directly.
I absolutely agree that the FaceBook “community” is a lively and exciting sub-community of the church. People are connecting there – discussing services, asking for help, sharing about their lives, not to mention posting pictures of cute kittens doing silly things! And I fully understand that those who aren’t on FaceBook feel that they are missing out on something.
I’d point out that many of these same things happen in covenant groups and yet all the people who aren’t in covenant groups don’t worry that they’re going to split the church. The truth is, there have always been sub-groups of the congregation – that’s the way communities work. There’s a group that’s been getting together for quite a while to have breakfast once a week, Atlas Coffee has been referred to as a TJMC satellite, and let’s not forget all of the conversations that have taken place in our parking lots over the years! No one is “in” on everything that goes on around here – no one can be.
And so congregations create smaller sub-groups – the hiking group, UUppities, UUGuys, the Christian Fellowship, covenant groups, and working groups of various kinds, to name a few. And in each of these smaller groups things are said and shared that people not in those groups miss out on. And that’s just the way communities work. . . especially as they get larger, as our congregation has been doing.
It’s important, though, that the “business” of the church not be carried out in these small groups. Vitally important. Because we honor the democratic process it’s important that the business of the congregation be carried out in the open – in the meetings of our committees, councils, the Board, and of our whole congregation. (And please note: there is a Congregational Meeting coming up after the second service on Sunday, May 20!) We’re all familiar with the model in which decisions get made in the parking lot after the formal meeting is over. Thank goodness that isn’t happening in our parking lots!
And neither does it happen on FaceBook. Some of the work of our church – that is, the connecting and community building – certainly does, as it does in all of our smaller groupings, but the business of the church is left for the formal channels as it should be.
Two final thoughts: first, if you are worried that you’re missing out on involvement with the business of the church, check our website and make sure that you’re reading the bulletin and the Friday e-mail regularly, join one of the working committees (or just attend some of their meetings), and make sure that you are there at our full Congregational Meetings. These are really the only ways to stay in the loop.
And if you’re worried that you’re missing out on one of the thriving sub-communities of our congregation, fear not! An AFD class – FaceBook as a Spiritual Practice – is in the works, and there are lots of individuals who’d be more than happy to give you private tutoring. We have approximately 450 signed members of the congregation, and there are nearly 260 members on our FaceBook page. Clearly something cool is happening. And that’s something not to worry about, but to celebrate.
In Gassho,
Rev. Erik
From the President
“We do it for our children”
Last night I was discussing with a friend and fellow Board member various aspects of church life, following another very full and lively Board meeting. There is much going on right now as we start to grapple with the upcoming budget, finish the pledge drive, hire a permanent Director of Music, digest and make sense of the recently completed staffing task force, deal with on-going questions relating to IT issues and building repairs, support the work of the Facilities Planning Task Force and start to plan for the next congregational meeting.
At times it can seem rather overwhelming, and this is before we consider all the other wonderful aspects associated with life at TJMC-UU which demand our support. At this point we stopped to ask ourselves what would happen if TJMC simply didn’t exist. As with most questions posed to UU’s, our initial views were varied and wide-ranging. Most felt that life would still go, that they would find other avenues for their interests and needs. Soon, however, the majority concluded that the greatest loss would be the role the church plays in the lives of our members’ children.
As our conversation deepened, we recognized how much of the work we do at the Board and through the work of our councils and committees is related to the future existence of the church – in ways that set the right example for the youngest members of our community – by our not only talking about but actually living the seven principles.
In short, we must exist if only to ensure we continue to teach and demonstrate to the next generation the critical values and principles we embody as UU’s; for if not us, then who? This simple, yet powerful thought was exemplified by yet another member of the Board who pointed out to us during the meeting of how many members come to TJMC-UU simply for our wonderful OWL program.
That alone is reason to work hard for the long term future of TJMC-UU. We do it for our children.
In faith
Ian Sole
Board President
As I write this I have just returned from the big Nehemiah Action – the large-scale event in which IMPACT engages with our elected and community leaders. This was my first Nehemiah Action, and I was honored to be one of the participants on stage.
I was also honored to look out into the audience – 1,502 people strong – and see so many folks from TJMC. There are 33 faith communities represented in IMPACT – Interfaith Movement Promoting Action by Congregations Together. On the stage were Catholics, Mennonites, and Baptists; Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and Methodists; Muslims, Jews, and Unitarian Universalists, and probably others. Representatives of 33 area communities of faith were gathered in one place and our congregation alone accounted for a little more than 10% of those present. THAT is how to make an IMPACT!
Our theme for the month of April is “Creation.” This seemed a natural choice last summer when the Worship Weavers were thinking about themes for this year – after all, this is the real beginning of springtime (one of the blessings of living in C’ville, I’m discovering) and is the month in which Earth Day falls. It makes sense, then, to think about “creation.”
And yet there is so much more packed into that word than merely its reference to “the creation” – the universe in which we live and of which we’re a part. There is the act of creation, the creative movement. I have heard it said that the Biblical idea that humanity was created “in the image of God” means that we are inherently creative. That we, too, are creators.
And, so, we’ll be thinking about the world we live in, and the arts, but we’ll also be exploring issues of social justice.
As I write this I’m not only back from Nehemiah but also preparing to go to Monticello tomorrow. I will be meeting with some of the folks there to learn what they think of the idea of TJMC-UU embracing its role as “namesake” of Thomas Jefferson, both to uphold his ideals and to “atone for his sins.” I’m going to ask them how we might begin to honor those who’ve too long been hidden in the shadows cast by Jefferson’s light. I’m going to begin to explore with them how we might more deeply and more fully engage the present-day legacy of slavery which stands in such stark contrast with the Jeffersonian ideal of freedom.
There is a curricula that’s been created by the UUA – “Building the World We Dream Of.” The work of social justice is often seen as an act of protest. It is, I believe, more correctly understood as an act of creation. I look forward to our exploration of “Creation” in many different facets.
In Gassho,
Rev. Erik
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