Le Flambeau

2009-02-05T10:59:00.001-06:00

Join the RSS feed from the News section of firstuuno.org.

Le Flambeau in January 2009 ... New Place of Publication

2009-01-04T19:49:00.003-06:00

Le Flambeau, "the blogsite" will not be updated after December 2008. Go to the church website and review the FUUNO News. An abbreviated print version will be available for printing.

http://firstuuno.org

Please email the Communications Team with news items and suggestions on improving the distribution or publishing of the newsletter. Email us at firstuuno@gmail.com

If you require a print version or know of a member or friend that needs a version mailed please contact the church office at office@firstuuno.org

DVD available from the Poetry Service Held in Honor of Charles Foster

2008-12-23T17:53:00.001-06:00

A First Church Tradition: Poetry Service DVD available
Poetry Service Held in Honor of Charles Foster

A First Church annual tradition is an intergenerational service that is devoted to poetry. Charles Foster, our poetry master of ceremonies, lead this service for many years. Unfortunately Charles, no longer lives in New Orleans and we miss his presence greatly. The 2008 Poetry Service was held in his honor on October 26, 2008.

Members and friends are invited to participate by reading their own poetry or a favorite by someone else. Our youth are encouraged to read poetry that speaks to them, too! Alice Abel Kemp, stepped up to be our "Poetry Goddess" in 2008.

If you would like to order a DVD or VHS of the wonderful poetry service held on October 26, please see Yvelyne or Henry McCarthy to order a copy. The total cost of $10 is dedicated to the Church to help with expenses. Please make checks payable to First UU Church.

About GNOUU

2008-12-23T17:51:00.001-06:00

After Katrina, leaders of the three UU churches in the metro area, First UU Church, Community Church UU, and North Shore UU Society, got together to plan the revitalization of the faith in the New Orleans metro area. Out of these discussions came the formation of a collaborative called the Greater New Orleans Unitarian Universalist Churches, or GNOUU. Together these three churches planned and implemented a fundraising strategy that included soliciting support from our own members, friends, and partner churches, and also solicitation of other UU churches around the nation. As momentum for the program grew, three key ministers agreed to lead the national partnership campaign. We are very fortunate to have the Reverend John Buehrens, past president of the UUA and currently minister of First Parish Needham UU, in Needham, MA, the Reverend Kim Crawford Harvie, minister of Arlington Street Church in Boston, and the Reverend Mike McGee, minister of Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, Virginia, all working on behalf of the GNOUU churches.

The goal of the campaign is $ 2.7 million, which will allow the two New Orleans churches to rebuild their sanctuaries and program spaces, and to help the North Shore church retire a steep mortgage that was taken on when membership was at its pre-Katrina high point. All three GNOUU churches are working hard to spread the message that, “It’s Not Over Yet!” – although the flood waters have receded, life, and especially church life, has not returned to normal. We spent the past three years rebuilding our lives and ministering to our larger communities and now it is time to restore our church homes so that we may continue to serve even more, and spread the good news of our UU faith during this critical time of rebuilding our city.

Please visit the GNOUU website, www.gnouu.org for more information on the campaign and how you can help. You can donate directly to the campaign from the website. All contributions are tax deductible, so please give generously. You can also contact Claudia Barker, campaign chair, at cbarker@bellsouth.net, for information on how to get involved.

Claudia Barker

FROM OUR MINISTER: Melanie's Miscellany

2008-12-23T17:47:00.000-06:00

FROM OUR MINISTER: Melanie's Miscellany
New Year, New Attitude

We begin a new year at First Church with lots of changes around the congregation.

We say good-bye to Religious Education Director Coleen Murphy, who is moving on to concentrate on her job with Common Ground. Many thanks to Coleen for all she did to rebuild our Sunday School after the Storm. The current regular attendance and enrollment is back up to pre-Katrina standards.

We welcome our new Religious Education Director Lydia Pelot-Hobbs, who begins this month trying on the position for size. We are excited by Lydia's enthusiasm and energy, and impressed by her qualifications and recommendations. Look for Lydia to introduce herself at church at services early in the new year.

We also say good-bye to Office Administrator Mandisa Jackson, who position was eliminated this year as a budget tightening measure. We thank Mandisa for her dedication and all her work for the church, and wish her well on all her future endeavors.

This leaves a gap in coverage at the church office, and we'll need lots of volunteers to fill in on Mondays (my day off), as well as help out on weekdays and evenings with the church databank, communications, the church calendar, and lots and lots of copying. Please let me know if you have some free time and are interested in helping the church with some clerical and administrative duties on a regular or one-time basis.

We're moving ahead with improvements to our physical plant -- a new sign will soon appear on the corner of Jefferson and Claiborne, and be sure to check out the new steps to the chancel in the Sanctuary, a gift from Marcie Brennan. Other areas of the church will also get work as slowly but surely we make our way from the devastation wrought by Katrina.

Another change -- we have showers in the courtyard (just in time for cold weather!). Thanks to several volunteers and some donations, the Rebirth Volunteer Center has installed some more showers in the church courtyard. This should ease overcrowding after those long workdays for our guest volunteers from round the country.

New ideas have sprung up for nationwide fundraisers that will also be FUN-raisers -- a chance to welcome people from around the country and around the world and give them an authentic experience of Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest. There's also an idea that we could gather in intergeneratioal groups and decorate secndline umbrellas which could be marketed to ourselves (doesn't everyone need a secondline umbrella?), to volunteers staying at the Rebirth Center, to other New Orleanians at local arts festivals, and to people all over via our website. Look for announcements asking you to pitch in on all of these great ideas.

It's a new year, and there's lots going on at First Church. Come to church, to worship, to social events, to work days, and see what's going on, and notice all the changes the new year has brought. Your energy, your ideas, your talents, are needed here. Be part of the change!

In faith and hope for 2009,
Rev. Melanie

Update: Special Offering in December

2008-12-23T17:43:00.000-06:00

"At the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge, Gustav did significant uninsured damage." First Church of New Orleans speical offering in December was committed to assist our sister church in Baton Rouge. The funds were sent to the Storm Repair Fund for damages incurred to the Baton Rouge church building and property in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav (September-1-08). Funding was needed for the removal of trees and the replacement of the sancutary roof.

http://www.unitarianchurchbr.com/home/?linkId=89

The total amount collected for the Baton Rouge UU Church was -- $419.50.

Welcoming Congregation Designation.

2008-12-23T17:24:00.002-06:00

First Unitarian Universalist Church New Orleans Celebrates Welcoming Congregation Designation.

The Unitarian Universalist Association has officially designated First Unitarian Universalist Church of New Orleans as a Welcoming Congregation(WC). This designation was awarded after completing a prescribed program of action, education, and change in the awareness, approach and acceptance of people with different sexual orientations and gender identity.

First Church has always aspired to be open and welcoming to all having made many changes as a result of growing knowledge and awareness of differences. After Hurricane Katrina, First Church leaders decided to formalize the open attitudes and welcoming behaviors by seeking the WC designation from the UUA.

In August, 2007, the congregation voted to initiate the formal process for attaining the WC designation. A WC team was formed and a plan of action was developed and implemented in accordance with UUA guidelines set forth by the WC program of the Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Concerns. The guidelines specified twelve commitments a congregation must make and defined the actions necessary to actualize the commitments. The actions were divided into the categories of education, congregational life and community out reach. The congregation, guided by our leadership and the WC team with Rev. Melanie as our spiritual guide and mentor set about accomplishing the goals that were not already realized by the church’s previous actions. A series of workshops and educational and entertaining movies were presented. Services were planned to educate, support and acknowledge openness and acceptance of BLGTQI people. Language used in the bylaws and services was reviewed to make it inclusive. To First Church’s credit, just about all of it was. Community Outreach was initiated and an alliance was formed with NO/AIDS. Also, to First Church’s credit, many of the other actions were already in place such as ministerial services for LGBTQI members, recognition of same sex couples in First Church literature and directories.

At a congregational meeting on September 21, 2008, and after achievement of the goals set forth by the UUA, the congregation voted to seek formal recognition as a WC from the UUA. Documentation of actions taken and a request for formal recognition were prepared and sent to the UUA and in late October, 2008, the UUA granted official recognition of First Church as a Welcoming Congregation.

Office Administrator Mandisa Jackson

2008-12-23T17:19:00.000-06:00

Due to First Church's budget restraints, the Office Administrator position was eliminated this year.

It is with great regret that we say Farewell to Mandisa Jackson, who has held the position for nearly 2 years. It was Mandisa's friendly voice who answered the phone, and who greeted visitors during office hours. Mandisa also helped maintain the church calendar, copied the Orders of Service and Announcements every week, assisted with invoices and book-keeping, and copied, collated, and mailed the newsletter. She maintained the church's database, and made sure office equipment was running as it should. Her good humor and calm demeanor were office assets. And many in the church enjoyed getting to know her sons Malik and Corey, the toddler Jabari, and the new baby Junior too.

Best of luck, Mandisa, on all your new endeavors!

The new church website is live!

2008-12-23T14:50:00.002-06:00

http://firstuuno.org

A special thanks is due to Geoffrey Hennies who offered his expertise in web development. He was instrumental in helping us get the site ready for prime time!

Erik David Carlson designed the site with grant funding from The Greater New Orleans Unitarian Universalists (GNOUU). The site uses a content management system called, Joomla. A lot of folk have helped in writing content and getting the information up to date. Thanks to everyone who has made a contribution.

This is just the beginning. We will continue to update and create a site that is really another welcoming front door for our church.

Comments, recommendations and your contributions to the site, both textual and in images are encouraged. Contact the Communications Team, firstuuno@gmail.com

Sunday Worship in January

2008-12-23T10:20:00.002-06:00

Sunday, December 28, 2008
Jazz Funeral for the Old Year
The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger
Special Musical Guests The Red Hot Brass Band

We bid 2008 good-bye along with its gifts, treasures, cares, and woes in a traditional New Orleans jazz funeral, complete with brass band and casket. Be ready to secondline around the Sanctuary as we clear the way for the new year 2009!

Sunday, January 4, 2009, Part 5 of 5:
"Gifts of the Magi"
The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger

We end our holiday series with a look at the journey of the Magi and the special gifts they brought to the Child in Bethlehem, and end the service as we should with kingcake!

Sunday, January 11, 2009
"Social Justice for All, the ACLU, & You"
Guest Speaker: Julie Thibodeaux, Executive Director of the LA. ACLUJanet Spencer, Worship Associate

Ms. Thibodeaux will present issues of current action by our local branch of the ACLU, and ways that members of our church can get involved. Rev. Melanie is taking a Sunday off after the busy holiday season.

Sunday, January 18, 2009
Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday: "The Challenge of Being White"
The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger& Ms. Deanna Vandiver, Ministerial Candidate

In honor of the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rev. Melanie and Deanna will take turns examining what it means to be "white" in today's America, and what issues must be faced for white people to be true allies against racial oppression.

Sunday, January 25, 2009
"Living Our Faith -- Ambivalence & Ambiguity"
The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger

One of the biggest challenges of being a religious liberal is the lack of definitive answers. To be a religious is to always live in an uncertain, almost precarious state, tipping between doubt and conviction. Rev. Melanie will talk about what it means to live in a constant state of ambivalence and ambiguity.

Regularly scheduled work day

2008-12-15T18:46:00.001-06:00

Dont' forget the regularly scheduled work day: December 20th, 9 AM til. The third Saturday of each month is our scheduled time to come and work on the rebuilding projects.

GenUUine New Orleans Mardi Gras!

2008-12-13T10:58:00.000-06:00

February 21-25, 2009
First Unitarian Universalist Church of New Orleans
2903 Jefferson Avenue, New Orleans
Contact us at mardigras@firstuuno.org

Flyer available for printing.

A unique opportunity to experience the greatest free party in the world –- Mardi Gras in New Orleans –- for a reasonable cost with guidance from locals who know the ropes! Choose from a variety of options for housing, activities, and length of stay. Note: Mardi Gras Day is Tuesday, February 24th.

Volunteer Center Housing – bunks beds in upstairs* dormitories, small adjoining kitchen; communal baths with single showers; additional outdoor showers. On bus route, near the start of several parades:

GenUUine New Orleans Mardi Gras package: includes transportation to/from airport and to major events; insider information; daily breakfast, Mardi Gras goodies bag.

Three night package (2/21 – 2/23 or 2/22-2/24): $ 325 per person
Four night package (2/21 – 2/24): $ 395 per person
Additional nights to perform service project 2/25 & 2/26: $20/night
Additional nights w/ no service $40/night

Housing & breakfast only (no transportation or goodies bag)

Three night package: $ 175 per person
Four night package: $ 225 per person
Additional nights to perform service project $20/night
Additional nights with no service $40/night

Home Hospitality – bedroom in church member’s home with kitchen, bath, yard access. Limited number available. Will match as able to meet needs re: allergies, accessibility, etc.

GenUUine New Orleans Mardi Gras package: same as above and including transportation to/from church, possible breakfasts on site:

Three night package: $ 450 single , $400 pp double
Four night package: $ 500 single, $450 pp double

Housing & breakfast only (no transportation or goodie bag)

Three nights: $300 single, $ 250 pp double
Four nights: $350 single, $ 275 pp double

GenUUine New Orleans Mardi Gras Packages include, at a minimum:
Transportation by volunteer church members (private autos) to/from:

airport, bus or train station for arrival to and departure from city (customized to your schedule)
Endymion parade route near church member home on Saturday afternoon 2/21 (group schedule)
Bacchus parade route near church member home on Sunday afternoon 2/22 (group schedule)
New Orleans Riverfront/French Quarter for Lundi Gras Celebration Monday 2/23 (group schedule)
French Quarter Tuesday afternoon 2/24. (group schedule)

Opportunities to walk with church members and fellow guests to three parades that line up in front of the church and begin a few blocks away – Iris noon Saturday 2/21, Okeanas, noon Sunday 2/22, and Rex and truck parades Tuesday (Mardi Gras) 9 a.m.

Meals: Hot breakfast at church Sun-Tuesday.

Goodie Bag: Decorated second line umbrellas, beads, masks, insider information on events throughout the city.

For more information & reservations, email: mardigras@firstuuno.org

10% discount for children under 12; Groups get 10th reservation free!

*Accessible space available; let us know your needs.

50% Deposit required to secure reservation.

Checks or money orders only.

Contact us at mardigras@firstuuno.org for more details.

Religious Education Notes for the Winter Holidays

2008-12-12T17:01:00.000-06:00

Hello First UU Families & Friends,

I hope your times at First UU this month grant you some peaceful breathing space and cause for joy in the midst of a holiday season that can feel overwhelmingly frantic at times. We started off our holiday observances with the very reflective Advent Spiral, and held classes last week focusing on various aspects of the winter holidays, their rituals and meanings.

This Sunday will see our final classes of 2008, and the following week, Sunday, December 21, the entire congregation is invited to come together in a Sunday morning Celebration of Light. We are seeking 4-6 young people to light candles and take on reading parts of the service. If this could be you or a young person in your life, please let me know.

Finally, a reminder that the Mitten Tree is open for additional donations through December. Please bring, as you are willing and able, winter clothing or blankets that are in good condition and can go on or under the tree - mittens, hats, jackets, etc. These items will be donated at the beginning of January to local folks in need of them.

Thanks and see you at church!

Coleen Murphy
Director of Religious Education
First Unitarian Universalist Church of New Orleans
re@firstuuno.org

Naturally Flocked Trees in New Orleans! It's SNOWING!

2008-12-11T11:03:00.000-06:00

First Church Family,

The Christmas Tree Team contines to need volunteers to help sale trees on Saturday and Sundays, from 9:00 a.m. until dark. This is our biggest fundraiser so please volunteer. There is a job for every ability! Sign up to be a tree seller at coffee hour or contact Victorial Sumrall, 430-6926.

Just think how beautiful our naturally flocked trees look in the church courtyard this morning! SNOW IN NEW ORLEANS! Have a safe and happy day!

Annual Jazz Funeral for the Old Year

2008-12-08T19:11:00.002-06:00

Sunday, December 28, 2008
10:30 am at First Unitarian Universalist Church of New Orleans
5212 S. Claiborne Ave. (corner Jefferson Ave.)
Annual Jazz Funeral for the Old Year
service led by the Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger

The greater New Orleans community is warmly invited to join the First Church congregation for this moving ritual to end the end the year. The Red Hot Brass Band will furnish the trad jazz accompaniment, and Majestic Mortuary has loaned a real casket in which participants can all "bury" the griefs and concerns and pains and losses of the year 2008. In true New Orleans style, we will then "cut the body loose" to face the New Year with hope and joy, second lining to "The Saints." Coffee and refreshments will be served after this special intergenerational service that honors the culture of the Crescent City.

Holiday Open House at Rev. Melanie's!

2008-12-03T17:07:00.000-06:00

Rev. Melanie and her spouse-partner, Eric, cordially invite all First Church members and friends, and all members of Greater New Orleans UU churches, to their annual open-house party for the holiday season.

Saturday, December 27, 2008, 2 to 7 pm
Bring a happy holiday spirit, and nothing else!
There will be holiday food, drink, and music.

Rev. Melanie's address is in the church directory, or telephone the church office for directions.

How do you get your First UU News?

2008-12-03T13:18:00.001-06:00

View the December 2008, Le Flambeau, .pdf version of the print newsletter

The Church will not have an administrative assistant after December of 2008, due to the recent congregational vote for the 2009 budget. Do you need a print newsletter?

Join the Communications Team as we determine what the best ways to provide current and relevant church news, activities of interest and publicity for events, such as special events (D'Orlando Lecture), special services with guests or special music, and fundraising events.

Are you able to obtain the print, Le Flambeau from this blog using the link above?

Let us know what will work best for you. We hope to decrease the number of mailed print copies to decrease our carbon footprint and save office time and funding!

Email: firstuuno@gmail.com, The Communications Team

Poinsettias in Honor and Remembrance

2008-11-30T18:20:00.008-06:00

In order to provide holiday decorations and honor and remember those whose lives have had meaning to us and our community, church members and friends may dedicate pointsettias again this year. The cost is $8 for one, or 3 for $20. The list of those being honored will appear in the order of service each week, and the donors and/or honorees may take the pointsettias home after the Christmas Eve service.

To reserve your pointsettias, contact Frank or Cathy Harbison, who are coordinating this event. (E-mail fharbis@yahoo.com). Frank and Cathy will also be taking orders during coffee hour. All proceeds will go to the church operating budget. Holiday PoinsettiasThe Beautiful Flowers in our Worship Space have been donated in honor of, or in memory of, individuals or groups who the donors wish to remember, honor, and thank.

Donors may take flowers any time after Christmas Eve services.

D'Orlando Lecture on Social Justice - March 28th, 2009

2008-11-30T17:21:00.001-06:00

MARK YOUR CALENDAR –

"Hope and Change: What the Next Four Years Holds for Women's Rights"

D'Orlando Lecture on Social Justice
Saturday, March 28th at 5:00pm
KIM GANDY, PRESIDENT OF NOW

"The Eleventh D'Orlando on Social Justice will be given by Kim Gandy (president of the National Organization of Women) on Saturday, March 28th at 5:00pm in the sanctuary of our church.

Two months into the Obama-Biden administration, hear the inside Washington perspective of the president of the nation's largest women's rights organization. With economic troubles, an expensive bailout, and a war in the Middle East, is there anything left to restore the safety net and increase equality and opportunity? Are women's reproductive rights still at risk?

Please plan to bring a friend. A reception in the fellowship hall will follow.

This lecture is free and open to the public.

Sunday Worship in December

2008-11-29T00:00:00.002-06:00

Sunday, December 7, 2008
"What President Obama Needs to Know"
The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger

Less than a month from Inauguration, Rev. Melanie will presume to offer advice to President-Elect Barack Obama on ways to help unify our divided country -- although from his writings, it may be things he already knows.

Gifts of the Season Holiday Service Series
Sunday, December 14, 2008, Part 1 of 5:
"Enjoying Holiday Gifts"
The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger

In a perilous economic time in a city still in disaster-recovery mode, how can we get into the spirit of the holiday season? Rev. Melanie has some suggestions to help make the season bright.

Sunday, December 21, 2008, Part 2 of 5:
All-Family, All-Holiday Candlelighting Service
Mr. Reese Brewer, Director of Religious Education Ms. Coleen Murphy
plus a cast of young people & special music

In true UU fashion, we will come together to celebrate Winter, Yule, Hanukkah, and Christmas in poems, stories, and beloved carols, and ending with candle lighting. (As part of our shared ministry, Rev. Melanie will be leading a holiday service for the North Shore congregation.)

Wednesday, December 24, 2008, Part 3 of 5:
Christmas Eve Candle Light Communion
The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger
Holiday Open House Before & After Service

Join us for this open-table (everyone is welcome) simple communion in the Unitarian Universalist tradition. We will give thanks for the many gifts of our lives, and remember the birth of a great Teacher of humankind. Bring a Christmas goodie to share; there will be hot cider.

Sunday, December 28, 2008, Part 4 of 5:
Jazz Funeral for the Old Year
The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger
Special Musical Guests The Red Hot Brass Band

We bid 2008 good-bye along with its gifts, treasures, cares, and woes in a traditional New Orleans jazz funeral, complete with brass band and casket. Be ready to secondline around the Sanctuary as we clear the way for the new year 2009!

Sunday, January 4, 2009, Part 5 of 5:
"Gifts of the Magi"
The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger

We end our holiday series with a look at the journey of the Magi and the special gifts they brought to the Child in Bethlehem, and end the service as we should with kingcake!

Greetings from GNOUU

2008-11-23T17:45:00.001-06:00

We have received some nice donations from several churches recently--

Rev. Marti Keller, UU Congregation of Atlanta,
Rev. Anthony Johnson, First Unitarian Society of Plainfield, NJ,
Rev. Marta Valentin, First Church Unitarian, Littleton, MA (remember her??),
Rev. Don Southworth, Eno River UU in Durham, NC,
Rev. Craig Roshaven, 1st Jefferson Church UU, Fort Worth, TX,
The First Church in Barre, Vermont,
Community Unitarian Church, White Plains, NY,
Rev. Peter Morales, Jefferson Unitairian Church, Golden, CO.

All together these donations totaled to nearly $8,000. Anyone who'd like to send any of these generous congregations a thank you note, you can contact me for their address.

Thus far, our total pledges and donations are at $788,000.

As the end of the year approaches, we invite you to pay as much on your pledge as you can so as to maximize your income tax deductions :) :). You can put your payments in the GNOUU mailbox outside the church office, hand them to me, or mail them to
GNOUU, 316-38th Street, NOLA 70124. Please don't put them in the offering basket on Sundays. We need to keep our funds separate from our church's funds.

Thank you all for your continued support and good wishes.

Alice Abel Kemp, GNOUU Administrator -- note new email: aliceakemp@gmail.com

Rev. Melanie's Office Hours:

2008-11-23T17:42:00.000-06:00

Monday -- her Sabbath away from church duties
Tuesdays and Wednesdays -- 12 noon to 5 pm
Thursdays -- 10 am-3pm
Fridays and Saturdays -- sermon preparation days
Sundays -- worship and fellowship
Other times are available by arrangement -- please call or email.

Special dates in December:

Rev. Melanie will be taking holiday vacation days from:
Thursday, November 27-Monday, December 1, and
will not be in the office from Wednesday, December 24 to Tuesday, January 6.

FROM OUR MINISTER: MELANIE’S MISCELLANY

2008-11-23T17:00:00.001-06:00

“Tis the Season”

“Tis the season to be jolly – Fa la la la la, la la la la”

Have you ever found yourself in the midst of the holiday season thinking you’ll scream if you hear one more canned carol, one more insincere “Happy Holidays”? Of course you have, we all have. Tis the season as much for frustration as for frivolity.
Tis the season – the season of standing in long lines only to be told that what you were waiting for is now sold out.

Tis the season – the season of whining from little kids (and sometimes even big kids!), overstimulated by holiday commercials for items you can’t afford and that the kids won’t want 2 days after Christmas.
Tis the season – when a family member or co-worker calls you up and tells you they know you won’t mind making – for tomorrow! – a double batch of the holiday goodie that this year you had vowed not to make at all.
Tis the season – when even though you and your partner and family had all promised NOT to make a fuss with extravagant gifts, you find out that somebody is going all out.

Yes, this month is the season for all of the above and worse, circumstance and situations that make us crazy, drive us nuts, prompt us to want to scream, “I’m canceling Christmas this year!” It doesn’t have to be that way – or, at least, that doesn’t have to define all of this hectic holiday month. It’s true, it’s the holidays, and the stores will insist on piping in endless loops of carols, and things will still go wrong, and people close to you will do their best to get on your last nerve. But – you can choose to react differently, to see things or put things into a different perspective.

Tis the season – for beautiful decorations and lovely lights, Don’t try to kill yourself decorating your house – unless it’s what gives you joy – but do drive or walk around, enjoying what other folks put up.
Tis the season – for holiday wishes and greetings. Choose to take them all as literal expressions, to view them as the true and real wish of those around you that you have a Happy Holiday, a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, a Happy New Year. Say with great sincerity, “You too!” and mean it.
Tis the season – for memories. No matter how many bad holidays we’ve had in our lives, each of us has warm and happy memories of the good ones. Treasure those, and talk about them with your loved ones. Share the stories.
Tis the season – for Christmas trees. Sure, selling Christmas trees is the church’s biggest and most important fundraiser of the year and we all have to pitch in for it to succeed. But don’t forget it’s FUN! It’s fun to help couples and families and individuals find the perfect tree for their homes. It’s fun to hang out with church friends. It’s fun to be part of the army of “Santa’s helpers” during the holiday season.
Tis the season – for carols sung with those we love, candlelight services in the church, goodies shared, dressing up a little. We’ll have several opportunities for worship that will warm your heart and remind you why there is such a thing as Christmas – come be with your church family and celebrate this time together.

Yes, tis the season. And YOU make it what it will be for you. Choose to make it joyful and lovely and full of love and humor, and then that’s what the season will be for you and yours.

Warm Yule, Blessed Solstice, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Joyful Kwanzaa, and Happy New Year!

Rev. Melanie

Celebration of Sacred trees...Sunday, November 30th

2008-11-22T11:06:00.001-06:00

Come, come, who ever you are!
Sunday, November 30th

Come be a part of the First UU community's intergenerational celebration of Sacred trees, Christmas trees, and Mitten trees. Bring ornaments for decorating the sanctuary tree and mittens, scarves, and hats to give to the Mitten tree as you are willing and able.

Be prepared to leave the service with joy in your heart and a song on your lips!

From Where I Stand

2008-11-21T12:07:00.002-06:00

Please join us this Sunday, November 23 for the Congregational Meeting. We will be voting on a budget for 2009.

At this time last year we were voting on our budget for 2008.

Our wonderful volunteers on our Finance Team set about creating a 2008 budget with a lot of unknowns hanging over their heads. For the past two years, because of Katrina, the UUA Katrina Fund had been paying our staff salaries, but that was ending, and we knew that the coming year would be a challenge. As we had been receiving generous donations from our partner churches we budgeted for income from them. We were also sure that we would be receiving rental income for our building.

Well as it has played out this year, we have not solicited money from our partner churches because it was decided that they would be asked to contribute to the GNOUU Capital Campaign Fund. Our building rentals were delayed, and did not get started until late in the year. These factors have greatly reduced our income for 2008. Add to this the fact that there are a number of unpaid pledges, and it accounts for the large budget deficit we are running.

Last year, we ended the year with $80,000 +/- in the bank. We have been drawing on that money for this entire year to cover our shortfall. The hope is to not end 2008 with our bank account in the red. To this end we have asked all teams to spend only what is absolutely necessary until the end of the year. If you look at spending for the year, you will see that our shortfalls are not because of overspending in the budgeted categories. Our church is very frugal in it spending habits.

Our Finance Team has come up with a budget for next year. It is a very lean budget which is what we need. It calls for the elimination of the Office Administrator position and diligent work on fundraising activities. The position of Director of Religious Education will remain the same. The source of the salary will change with only a portion of the salary coming from the operating budget, and the greater share being drawn from the Flower’s Fund. This budget will need the support of all of us to run our church office and to create and bring to fruition the fundraising activities.

These are temporary measures. Our continued work on the church building will enable us to bring in more rental income, our membership is increasing which means we can expect more pledges, and our commitment to find fundraising activities which bring in monies from outside the congregation will also help. Together we can put ourselves back on a more comfortable financial path.

Please join us this Sunday, November 23 for the Congregational Meeting after Sunday Service. Your input is needed. Your support is needed.

Stumbling Along With Love,

Cherie LeBlanc
President, Board of Trustees