Kat’s Korner: To Make the World More Beautiful

This phrase comes from one of my favorite books- “The Lupine Lady” which tells of a woman who scatters flowers seeds around town to carry out the legacy of her grandfather.

“The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss would also be included in my personal canon of classics. I highly recommend the reflective exercise of reviewing what you would include in your personal canon of stories, parables, and art. The trouble with a canon is that it is limited, and while some are chosen, others are excluded. That just doesn’t seem to fit with my faith tradition and values. Art appreciation and so many things, is a matter of personal taste. We can strive for a definition of “classic” that verifies the impact on society of a specific work of art.

Gardening is one way to make the world more beautiful. In some Native American traditions, Beauty is not just what looks good. It refers to what is true and right and just, that which is in harmony with nature is seen as the highest good. It is a continuation of the idea that you leave the world a better place for the next generations. This is the primary way we honor what has been given to us and continue a legacy of right living.

Art is a big part of that, for when we put our creative energy into something, we put our heart & soul into it. It is something of value, which can be rare in a materialistic, throw-away society.

Homemade gifts and tokens are special and prized, not just for their artistry, but also the relationship embodied in the shared gifts. Music is more vibrant when it expresses our life force- our yearnings and passions and stories. We put something of ourselves into what we create. Photographs can capture something transcendent or a fleeting moment, drawing us into the story or image, and triggering our own memories. Religious community is like a homemade gift, for it is shaped by the quality of relationships over time, it wears well though it is often less than perfect or polished. Its value endures over time and in the sharing it means even more. Bright Blessings, Kathryn

Earth Day, Every Day with the UU Youth Ministry

The First UU Society of Marietta was a strong participant in the Community Earth Day Celebration in Marietta's Muskingum Park on Sat. April 17, 2010. The Green Sanctuary Committee had a vibrant visual display booth which featured a clothesline of positive choices we can make in terms of home cleaning products, food and other essentials.

We gave away green clothespins with magnets to help remind people to make green choices when shopping. Following our presence in the park on Saturday, we recruited 40 people on Sunday to participate in the popular UU-Ministry for Earth "40-40-40" challenge and have engaged many people is stepping up their efforts to Go-Greener!

The following weekend was our local Empty Bowls luncheon, a cooperative community effort which raised $3,000 for the local food pantry on Saturday.

The Sunday Worship Service raised concerns about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and then several families of all ages went to our Community Garden plot for a "Blessing of the Seeds" (with the visual aid of a parachute) which provides fresh produce to area food pantries. Our raised beds and organic techniques are a visible public witness to our values. Following the leadership of our Green Sanctuary Committee and with the support of our minister and congregation, we strive to make Earth Day -every day.

UUA – The Wider World

General Assembly

Annual Program Fund-Celebrating the Commitment of Congregations!

At the close of the Unitarian Universalist Association’s fiscal year 2009, contributions to the Annual Program Fund made by your congregation, alongside those of more than one thousand others, totaled $6,863,537 in essential operating income. A portion of these funds are used to directly benefit your District through grants that are based on congregational giving within each District. Your congregation’s impressive level of generosity ensures that core programming and services offered by the UUA continue to be available, expanded, and refined so each of us may grow in the depth and breadth of our liberal religious faith movement.

Despite the economic uncertainty that many of our 1047 member congregations faced over the past year, 696 came through as Honor (Fair Share) Congregations and 121 are recognized as Merit Congregations, having increased their giving by 20% or more since fiscal year 2008. For affirming your congregation’s connection to its larger Unitarian Universalist faith, for recognizing your common bond with congregations throughout the country and around the world, and for the financial support of the Association’s work, we sincerely offer our profound appreciation.

To learn more about the Annual Program Fund, congregational contributions made during fiscal year 2009, and how this generosity continues to support the work of our Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, please visit: http://www.uua.org/giving/annualprogram/

Marietta Garden Tour 2010

The 2010 Marietta Garden Tour will be held on Sunday, July 11, 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. This event is a major fundraiser for maintaining our historic Unitarian Church building, so we are counting on help from the congregation.

We will need volunteers with a few hours to give on July 11, as well as gardeners to donate plants and bakers to donate cookies. Those gardeners among you should start potting up your extra plants now to be ready for July 11.

Special Events, May 2010

Upcoming Special Events

May -Art in the Amazing Month of May

May 9 (Mother's Day). Special Guest: Michael Dowd (author of Thank God for Evolution) Evening Presentation - public welcome.

May 14-15 Universalist Convocation (Rochester, NY) see: http://nmuc.org/Convo/

Sat. May 15 Wonderful Worship Workshop

May 30 Memorial Day. Afternoon Vespers (4pm) -in the Memorial Garden

June 6 The UU Fellowship of Athens invites you to attend their Ordination Ceremony of Evan Young.

June 20 Multicultural Fest & Church Picnic in Parkersburg City Park, Shelter #7

SOCIAL JUSTICE IDEAS & OPPORTUNITIES

Equality Ohio -Local Training Team

May 6 (5:30-7:30pm) Athens Public Library

Lobby Day Wed. May 19th

North Unitarian Universalist Congregation (NUUC.ORG) in Lewis Center, Ohio contacted us about joining in a letter writing campaign concerning House Bill 176. “Many of our members are planning to attend Lobby Day, Wednesday May 19th, to talk to our Senators and let them know we support the Bill and request that they support it too.

If you have any questions or request more information, please feel to contact me or go to the following web sites, www.dowhatsrightohio.com and www.equalityohio.com. To register for Lobby Day go to the Equality Ohio web site to register.

Ohio Meadville District News

A 'Greener' Ohio-Meadville District

"In a world that is getting hot, flat and crowded, the task of creating the tools, systems, energy sources, and ethics that will allow the planet to grow in cleaner, more sustainable ways is going to be the biggest challenge of our lifetime." (Thomas Friedman, Hot, Flat and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution and How It Can Renew America.)

Many of us believe that Thomas Friedman is correct and we are thinking of new and creative ways to meet this challenge. Your Ohio-Meadville District staff and committees are also looking for ways to live out our ethics of sustainability and shrink our carbon foot-print where possible. In the coming months we will try various methods, from holding online webinar conferences to video conferencing for committee meetings to utilizing our electronic and internet-based communications systems to their fullest potential.

One immediate change coming in February will be to start a monthly electronic congregational packet. This means that District monthly communications will be more timely and efficient, reach more people, eliminate wasted paper and postage, and become more economical - all in one single move.

Congregations will be able to forward items electronically via their own email networks as well as print out hard copies of items they want to post on their bulletin boards or print out items that their committees or congregants request. There will be a full text version of items on the OMD website for those who want to cut and paste particular items to use in congregational newsletters or announcements or quote in letters or sermons. And we plan to increase the extent of our OMD email network as well.

More timely, relevant, accessible, efficient, effective, greener and broadly distributed -- these are our goals.

Of course, some of our smaller congregations may still need paper copies and we won't forget these needs. Just let the OMD Office know if your situation is such that a paper packet is needed and we will accommodate your request. (Please be aware that the formatting will be plain text for hard copy versions.)

Please give us your feedback as we move forward in finding new ways to live our ethics of sustainability.

That's how we will all learn to new ways to change effectively and ethically.

OMD Highlights

OMD-Summer Institute July 11-17, 2010 Our Stories, Ourselves, Seeking....Registration is open.

May 14-16 Youth-Adult Committee Spring Conference at First Unitarian Church, in Columbus, OH.

Registration for all events is now available on line.

UNIVERSALIST CONVOCATION 2010, May 14-16, 2010, First Universalist Society of Rochester, NY.

Keynote: The Rev. Mark Morrison-Reed, “Dragged Kicking and Screaming to Heaven”.

For more information please go to nmuc.org/Convo

Announcements and Events for May 2010

May Birthdays:

Jill Inabnet (5/2)

Caitlin Harrison (5/2)

Kate Wooley (5/4)

Roger Kalter (5/12)

Caroline Putnam (5/12)

Betsy Kalter (5/17)

Empty Bowls Thanks—Three cheers and several tigers for all of you who helped at Empty Bowls 2010. The grand total isn't in yet, but I estimate we made $3,500, a new high for Empty Bowls.

We - the three churches, the potters, the restaurants, the school children -provided an exciting colorful event and really helped Feed The Hungry, our aim. - Stassa, Anna, and Caroline

The Athens UU youth group wants to invite interested youth to our SECOND ANNUAL 6-day Environmental Work Camp in Athens, OH. Dates: June 20st - June 26th. Contact Susan
Young at youngs2@ohio.edu.

UU Nursery Attendant Position Available—Provide childcare for children between the ages of birth and pre-school in Nursery between 10:00 AM and Noon Sunday mornings. You will provide a save environment and stimulating activities for children in your care. Qualifications—Must be experienced working with children, especially infants. Must have personal transportation and phone. Must pass Sheriff's background check. Must be at least 18 years old. Compensation- $20.00 (10:00-Noon Sunday morning) Please apply to Rev. Kathryn Hawbaker

740-373-1238

Sunday Services Schedule– May 2010 (See the Blog for more details)

May 2 May Day – International Worker's Day -Rev. Hawbaker

Worship Associate- Kerry Blair

May 9 “Thank God for Evolution” – Special Guest: Michael Dowd

Michael Dowd shares the "good news" of a mainstream evolutionary worldview, as presented in his book, Thank God for Evolution, which has been endorsed by 6 Nobel laureates and other science luminaries, including noted skeptics, and by religious leaders across the spectrum.

Outreach Opportunity- Invite your friends and neighbors. Special Public Presentation – Monday May 10th 7pm

“Thank God for Evolution” – Michael Dowd—Science and the Sacred: An Inspiring Vision of Humanity's Future

May 16 “Life is a Work of Art”

Worship Associate-Jane Tumas-Serna

Committee on Ministries (Greeters)

May 23 “A FUUSM Mosaic” New Member Welcome -Rev. Hawbaker

Quilts, puzzles, collages and mosaics are all forms of art that bring diverse parts together in a new and interesting whole. The Choir will sing, and we will welcome our newest members as we celebrate the tapestry woven out of our shared gifts of ministry. Worship Associate-Jim Rapp

May 30 “Memoirs & Legacies "Memorial Day -Rev. Hawbaker Personal stories are the treasure of any archive.

Join us for a Vespers Service in the Memorial Garden of the Courtyard (4pm).

April Worship & Music Notes by Sara Lamb

Thank you to all who contributed to the April worship services. We enjoyed beautiful music from Randall Kidder and the choir. Thank you also to Carolyn Waltzer for playing hymns for us one Sunday. The “green testimonials” were very inspiring and informative. We appreciate Carolyn Waltzer and Jim Grecni sharing their perspective on the importance of water conservation, responsible eating choices regarding seafood and the beauty and benefits of growing food in your yard. Thank you to Ron Tepley for sharing his fossils and story of geological time. We also appreciated Cindy Burton’s rendition of the Velveteen Rabbit, Jane Tumas-Serna’s background on the Harvest of Hope and Mike Bailey’s information about the UU plot at the community garden. Thank you to all who added their voices to the services. We appreciate everyone’s contributions.

We are looking forward to some special events in May. We will have a special focus on art and artists as we celebrate “Art in the Amazing Month of May.” We are looking forward to seeing all the art that members and friends bring in to share around our sanctuary and fellowship hall. On May 9th Michael Dowd, the author of Thank God for Evolution will be a guest speaker at our Sunday service and will also offer a lecture open to the public on the following Monday evening at 7 pm. We hope you will be able to take advantage of the opportunity to hear this widely traveled speaker. Don’t forget that we will have a special afternoon vespers service on May 30th at 4 pm in the Memorial Garden (the church courtyard). This is a calm and reflective time to remember loved ones.

If you have idea and suggestions for summer service topics or speakers please contact any member of the worship committee. We would welcome your input.