BUUF News – March 2006

Contents

EverGreene

Reverend Elizabeth Greene

If you have been to church lately, you might have noticed something a little different about the sermons. Well, maybe more than one thing, but what I am referring to is that our larger movement is mentioned a lot more often than it used to be.

Since I have been serving on the national Unitarian Universalist Board (only two meetings so far), I have become so much more sensitive to the issues affecting Unitarian Universalism as a whole. I am becoming re-energized as I am reminded once again what our faith is about.

For a congregation widely seen as out in the boondocks of the boondocks, we have a remarkably large number of people serving in a larger capacity. Besides me, there is Tom von Alten, UU Musicians' Network (UUMN) Board member; Jeanette Ross, UUMN communications liaison for our district; Jennifer Thrall-Thomas, just about to be elected to the Pacific Northwest District (PNWD) Board; Don Schutte, vice-president of the Covenant of UU Pagans Board.

It's impressive.

How about you? Have you visited the national website, just to check on what's happening there? (uua.org) How about our district website? (pnwd.org)

Do you know that we are hosting the 2007 PNWD Annual General Meeting (AGM)? This is a very big deal, and several people are already hard at work on the planning. We will be needing a very (VERY) large team to make this happen, so—like Uncle Sam—We Need You! Call or e-mail one of the 2007 AGM Triumvirate: Suzanne Woodcock, 387-0709 (timberdoodle (at) cableone.net) or Elton or Kathy Hall, 323-1618 (eah1828 (at) aol.com).

This is our chance to let the rest of the district (Alaska, Oregon, Washington) come to know the Power of Southern Idaho! Plus, you'll have fun with a lot of really good people. (We're already having fun.) You won't be sorry!

Letter from the President

Patti Raino

Hello from the Board. To open our February meeting Ed Davis noted it was Lincoln's Birthday this month and in commemoration he read the Gettysburg address. I can't but reflect that this would have been a good thing for our Idaho State Legislature to have reflected upon before deciding to put the rights and freedoms of our gay and lesbian citizens to a vote next November.

At our Board meeting the Board asked that a task force composed of representatives from various standing committees assess how we might reduce the disparity in attendance between our 9 AM and 11 AM Sunday services. If you are interested in participating in this task force please contact me.

We heard a report from Lynn Tolk, the chair of the Stewardship Committee. For our operational campaign this year Stewardship is planning an exciting Commitment Sunday on May 7. On that Sunday you will be asked to look at the value of our liberal religious community and make your pledge to support our programs and outreach.

The Board reviewed the impact of our decision to use a portion of our general plate money for social action activities in the community. It has had a small ($400) negative impact on our estimated budget for this category of income, but the benefit (more than $3,100) in donations to community outreach has been both significant and rewarding. We plan to continue are social action outreach with the modification that one-fourth of the plate collection each Sunday will go towards the designated social action outreach for that month.

The PNWD Chalice Lighter call to assist our Church with the purchase and installation of sanctuary flooring will go out some time this spring. At our meeting the Board committed to asking for a special capital pledge drive to make up the difference between what we receive from the Chalice Lighter grant and the final cost for the flooring. In the next month the Interior Committee will provide sample flooring and its cost for the fellowship to look at and note their preference. The board has reviewed the various types of permanent floor covering and at this point bamboo flooring tops our list. We look forward to hearing from the rest of you.

May peace be with you.

PNWD Congregations Respond to Natural Disasters

After conferring with one of the Houston congregations a few days after Hurricane Katrina, the Boise UU Fellowship (ID) was told that they were in desperate need of hygiene kits for refugees (and women's new underwear).  Within five days they had collected and sent 140 kits (plus some undergarments). They also "contributed" their Religious Education Director, Jennifer Thrall-Thomas, who felt urgently called to go to the afflicted area for three weeks, as a Red Cross volunteer.  Elementary education specialist, Karen Raese, stepped in to fill Jennifer's shoes, and volunteers pitched in to keep RE at its usual fun-filled and action-packed level.  Jennifer was chosen to be a supervisor almost the moment she arrived, and worked in Baton Rouge , Monroe and New Orleans helping families connect with much-needed services.

(From the website of the Pacific Northwest District of the UUA )

EnThralled with RE

Karen Raese

"Let me know how I can help" is a phrase I hear often. And, it is a very good thing to hear. Thanks for your offer. Thank you very much! We couldn't have such a great RE program if we didn't have so many fantastic volunteers. RE has numerous needs and we are grateful for the many ways that people help. If you have children that you have brought to BUUF more than three times, please make sure that they are registered for RE. Every child needs to be registered every year, including children in the nursery. It helps us to know their needs and how to contact you for special events. RE Registration forms are on the Information Kiosk or can be obtained by calling the BUUF office.

Another essential piece is having enough volunteers to operate our program smoothly. Many volunteers are needed to assist teachers in the classroom. Please sign up on the bulletin board outside each classroom. Others are needed to lead weekly classes or to provide snacks or other special services. Do you like working with nursery and preschool age children? Are you interested in helping to get our children's library reorganized? Do you want to be part of the wonderful RE committee? Are you particularly interested in Earth Day? Do you enjoy cooking? There are many opportunities and I would love to hear from you.

RE Committee Welcomes New Members

Cathy Carmen

In the past few months two talented souls have joined the Religious Exploration Committee. Linda Sutherland and Angie Tate are now full-fledged members and have quickly been put to work supporting our RE Program; staff, classroom guides/teachers and children. They join Sandy Jack, Barbara Pinkerton, Emmie Schlobohm, Gena Delucci, Karen Raese and Cathy Carmen. Please make sure you take a minute and welcome them into our fold!

Children's Library Needs You

Cathy Carmen

Do you enjoy children's literature? Can you still recite your ABC's? Do you have a free morning or afternoon every so often? Boy, does the Religious Exploration Program need your talents! The Children's Library, located in the Preschool/Kindergarten Room in the North Wing, is in serious need of organization. The jobs is not huge, but in order for us to regularly use the books (and actually know which ones we have!), a bit of order is needed. If you can lend a hand, please contact Karen Raese at 658-1710 Tues. or Thurs. mornings or Cathy Carmen at 338-8984 anytime.

Mirror-Mirror!

Sandy Jack

Children and youth at BUUF are invited to share their time, talents and treasures by creating unique, framed mirrors to be auctioned, April 9, to raise money for our Fellowship's general operating fund. Mirrors are to be decorated in the medium of the artist's choice. What a great way to teach our children about stewardship! Celebrate our youth, support BUUF!

Details about picking up a frame will appear in the March Order of Services, so stay tuned! All frames will need to be returned in early April for the silent auction on April 9. If there are questions or you wish to know more details about this fantastic project, contact Sandy Jack at 939-7456.

Mystery Guest Arrives in April

Cathy Carmen

The RE Program is pleased to announce the debut of a new intergenerational event — The Mystery Guest in our classroom! In the past the RE Committee has sponsored Secret Buddies to encourage the youth to get to know, in a fun way, adult members/friends of our Fellowship. Due to safety concerns raised by our adoption of the Safe Congregations Policy, we have decided to develop a group-based activity which invites adult guests to offer clues to their life-stories that will be shared in the classroom during the 11 a.m. RE program. This year we are testing the Mystery Guest event in the 5/6 grade classroom throughout the month of April. For three Sundays, April 9, 16 and 23 written clues about a BUUF member's life will be shared and discussed. Visual material will also be displayed to offer greater insight into this person's life experiences. If someone has a "guess" as to the identity of the Guest, there will be opportunities to offer that too. On April 30 the Mystery Guest will finally be introduced to the class and everyone will have the chance to get better acquainted. It is our hope that in the future the event can be expanded to include all the elementary-aged youth. So, stay tuned for clues...who might our Mystery Guest be...?!

Caring Corner

Pastoral Care Team

Transportation is defined as a facility consisting of the means and equipment necessary for the movement of passengers or goods. It's not exactly the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of BUUF. Yet, that is just one of the main subsidiary functions of our growing religious community. How many times do we find ourselves bringing in donated goods or taking them out to their final destination?

What about passengers? Many of us don't even think about the service of carrying the human (and non-human) family members loaded into our vehicles for the drive in to BUUF. After all, it's just something we do each week as well as the occasional trip in the middle of the week.

The members of the Pastoral Care Team have been working to create transportation for the members of our community. We are looking for people willing to pick up an extra person interested in coming to the same activities at BUUF. We have a sign up sheet on the information kiosk in the northern vestibule for interested drivers, and we fully understand that there may be times when that extra seat is full of goods for donation or family members. All we ask is that you let us know if there might be one available occasionally for someone else.

Are you finding yourself not being able to come to BUUF events because you're without a ride? Whether it's a temporary situation or something that happens regularly, Charlotte Tompkins is coordinating our transportation. Drop her a note at the Pastoral Caring Box located in the office lobby or give her a call at 322-2467.

Remember, Pastoral Care is here because we care. Look for our Red Badges of Caring or pick up our brochure from the information kiosk and call us.

Partner Church News

Charlotte Tompkins and Gwyn Reid

This year two of our members plan to visit our partner church in Mészkõ, Romania to learn first hand the needs and aspirations of the Unitarian congregation there and to fulfill our commitment to have representatives from Boise visit Mészkõ at least once a year. Mary Schwartzman and Miriam Woito will represent us this year in April. They will be in Mészkõ for three days which will include Good Friday and Easter Sunday. During part of their visit in Romania, they will be joined by other American travelers with partner church connections, including Enika Anderson-Young, daughter of Ferenc and Christine Balazs. Ferenc served as minister of the Mészkõ church in the 1930s.

While in Romania, the Boise "pilgrims" will meet Robert Balint, the new minister of the Mészkõ church, their hosts, members of the congregation, and the church board. If possible, they will arrange a meeting with Reverend Balint and the bishop of the diocese to discuss ways to preserve the historic church and parsonage. Mary and Miriam hope to discuss with the board such ideas as enlarging the community building, the possibility of future travelers from Mészkõ to Boise, and renovating the parsonage.

The partner church committee feels it is important to learn what we can do to help support the new minister and the congregation.

We learned this month that a donor has offered any BUUF member traveling to Mészkõ for the first time as part of next year's trip, a stipend of $500.00. The stipend is offered to the first four "first-timers" to sign up. Contact Gwyn Reid if you're interested in taking advantage of this opportunity.

Our next meeting will be at 4:30 March 14 in the library at BUUF. All are welcome to come and share ideas.

Social Action Notes

Besse LaBudde, Social Action Chair

Caps and Gloves Delivered

All caps and gloves have been delivered to Whittier Elementary School:

60 pairs of mittens and gloves, 25 mitten, cap, or scarf sets, and 48 winter caps. Some saint in the congregation sewed a stack of fleece caps and turtleneck scarves. The first delivery was made during the very cold weather after Thanksgiving and the remainder will be distributed as future weather dictates.

Special Outreach Donations

BUUF's second community outreach Sunday offering of roughly $1000 went to fund the start up of the Garden City Dining Room. With the signing of letters of intent with suppliers, the organizers are beginning a campaign to solicit monthly pledges for operation. To have our start up money in hand has been of great benefit, and as we become more confident of our power we will become more proactive in making a difference in our community.

The January collection of $770 was divided between the Sanctuary and Families First. The Sanctuary depends on volunteers for staffing but has utility and food bills that demand hard cash. The Family Agency sends tutors/coaches into the homes of children at risk to teach parenting skills. February's outreach collection of $725 went to the Black History Museum.

Sanctuary

Members of BUUF were active in the founding of Sanctuary to feed and provide night shelter for the homeless, and outreach money has been contributed. The movement was criticized as being "unnecessary" but time has proven its worth. In my latest communiqué from Rescue Mission, I read that City Light for women and children was full and that men had been sleeping on the floor at River Mission, the shelter for men. About 30 meals are served each evening at St. Paul's church and the nearby Sanctuary shelters about 60 per night. Think of the problems facing these 60 people during our very cold nights had Sanctuary not been open.

Social Action Opportunities

Women in Black stand in silence to protest war. First Tuesdays from noon-1 p.m. in front of City Hall at Capitol and 8th. Men are welcome. Black veils provided. Dr. Chandra Silva, 724-7643.

Sanctuary Food Service assistance needed at evening meals. M,T,Th,F at St. Paul Baptist Church and W,Sat at Corpus Christi House. To schedule, contact Pam Baldwin at 409-0333 or via  e-mail pbaldwin (at) rmci.net.

Sanctuary Night Duty at shelter. Two shifts 5:30 - 11 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. - 8 a.m. Schedule with Pam Baldwin at 409-0333 or via e-mail pbaldwin (at) rmci.net. These are the most difficult to fill positions at the shelter. Also needed are late afternoon walking tours of the area.

Garden City Dining Room serving evening meals to those in need is scheduled to open March 6 at Community Christian Center. BUUF members will be serving on Tuesday evenings. Contact Lorel Case for additional information: 376-3188 or caselandl (at) cableone.net.

Last Call for toiletries and toys for Whittier School Hygiene kits. Place them in the collection box in the north entryway.

Guest at Your Table

by Rhonda Schaff

For 30 years, UU's have put their values into action to protect and defend human rights by participating in Guest at Your Table. Thank you to all who contributed, especially those who became UUSC members. We raised over $800 this year. The event culminated with the 5/6 grade RE class. They learned how the service committee began and about some of the programs UUSC supports such as tsunami relief, labor rights, right to water, and the stop torture campaign. A special thank you to Adrian, Jade, Natalie, Roberto. Alex, and Sarah who counted and sorted the cash and helped tally the donations.

Boise Camp Wellstone—March 24-26

Sheryl Dowlin

Before retiring to Boise from Minnesota last spring, admirers of progressive Sen. Paul Wellstone's ability to empower average people to organize to affect public policy, Bruce and Sheryl Dowlin attended a Camp Wellstone training camp. Over a weekend, they learned about lobbying, message development, volunteer organizing, fundraising, door knocking and working with the media. They also took home a manual on citizen advocacy, campaign organizing and how to run for any office, from neighborhood association to school board to state legislature or Congress.

Bruce and Sheryl have been instrumental in bringing a Wellstone training camp to Idaho for the first time. Co-sponsored by the United Vision of Idaho, it will be held in Boise, March 24-26. "We believe the Camp Wellstone will inspire attendees to actively participate in the political process and work for things they believe in on all levels," Register early to insure your place on one of three tracks: being a candidate, organizing a campaign, becoming a citizen advocate/activist. For registration information, go to www.wellstone.org.

Stewardship Notes

Lynne Tolk

You may have noticed there is not longer a "canvass" committee at BUUF. Instead, we have a year-round Stewardship committee. This reflects a shift in the way many of us are thinking of this process of pledging our support to BUUF. We still need to heat the building and make sure there is a place to come Sunday mornings, but we are also beginning to give more thought to how we can create an embodiment of our deepest values. This is Stewardship.

Here are questions we are asking ourselves and invite you to ponder with us:

What is our mission to one another?

What is our mission to the community and world beyond?

What does that vision mean to you?

Gardeners Know the Best Dirt

Mary Schwartzman

Come garden with us!

Landscape work parties are fun, outside on our beautiful grounds and you can see what you accomplish.

No Experience Required

• March 18 9:00 am to 12:00
• April 15 9:00 am to 12:00
• May 20 9:00 am to 12:00

Marketing Committee News

The Marketing Committee is hard at work forwarding the cause of expanding the use of the BUUF facility by the community. Our hope is to see budding rental become a major source of income for the Fellowship.

To keep the effort organized, the committee has decided to engage the services of a commission only event coordinator.

If you are interested in applying for this position please submit your resume to the BUUF office by March 15, attention Marketing Committee.

Book Club News

There are two book discussion groups affiliated with the Fellowship.

The Other Book Club, which meets monthly (usually on the second Sunday evening) will discuss Small Island by Andrea Levy at 7 p.m., Sunday, March 12, at the home of Eric Wallace and Linda Sutherland, 1307 E. Monterey Drive. New readers are welcome. RSVP: 433-0706 or to ericwallace (at) velocitus.net (Note: the group has changed its April work to Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451.)

The Classics Group, which meets four or five times a year, is preparing "The Adventures of Augie March" by Saul Bellow for an April discussion at a home to be announced. New readers are always welcome. More information next month.

Want to learn more about Unitarian Universalism?

Steve Thomas

"Unitarian Universalist societies come in a great variety of shapes and sizes with a wide range of programs and special interests. The essence of each is as unique as the people who comprise the congregation, but there are common concerns and fundamental principles that hold them together. As Marjorie Achley says, "Perhaps you have been looking for a church where:

• Your doubts are not ridiculed.
• Your guilts are lightened.
• Your griefs are comforted.
• Your joys are celebrated.
• Your children are taught all religions.
• Your talents are nurtured.
• Your concerns are shared.
• Your reason is honored.
• Your friendships are deepened.
• Your love of art and beauty is expanded.
• Your need to serve others is fostered.
• Your need to laugh is encouraged.
• Your individual decision is treasured.

"Then you have been looking for the Unitarian Universalist Church. These are our aspirations. If they are yours, come join and help us achieve them.

"You may be new to Unitarian Universalism or to a particular congregation or you may have participated for a long time." (written by Polly Laughland Guild)

This is your opportunity to learn more and make new connections. The New UU Classes begin Wednesday April 5 at 7:00 PM and run for five consecutive Wednesdays (April 5, 12, 19, 26 and May 3) here at the Fellowship (childcare provided). If you have questions feel free to email or call Steve Thomas (steve.thomas (at) albertsons.com / home phone 342-1196.)

Senior Sages News

BUUF has an energetic group of seniors, retirees and others who meet for a no-host breakfast twice most months (about 9:30 a.m. Thursday mornings) in the banquet room of the Kopper Kitchen on Airport Way to hear guest speakers on a huge variety of subjects, to socialize and to share comments on life.

March 9: Nuralima discusses Jared Diamond's book "Guns, Germs and Steel."

March 23: Pam Baldwin of The Interfaith Alliance and United Vision for Idaho talks about how people of faith and good will can take back democracy.

Inside with the Interiors Committee

Thank you to those of you who took time to come to our round table discussion about the vestibule usage. We truly walked away with a lot of information and great ideas. We also received affirmation for our vision of the vestibules being a transitional space that is welcoming for fiends, members and newcomers as well as a place of basic information about BUUF and what our community offers.

Within the next month, we will purchase and install several wall mounted information racks in each vestibule. These racks will take up less room than the current kiosk system without detracting from the welcoming atmosphere and should help organize the plethora of information available. Cluster and Committee Leaders who would like display space should contact the Committee so that we can be sure there is space for everyone.

We will also be unveiling temporary display space within the Fellowship Hall for the dissemination of information specific to an event or fundraising effort between and after services. Cluster and Committee Leaders will be contacted with the details of how this space is to be shared. One of our kickoff displays will be an opportunity to vote on the new flooring for the Fellowship Hall.

As with everything we do, we appreciate your input and feedback. If you find that something's not working or if you'd like to tell us how much you enjoy something, feel free to drop a note in our mail box inside the office work room or stop a member after services. Committee members include: Sarah Bratley, Sheryce Davis, Greg Duffy, Erin Logan, Maggie Reid, Gordon Titus and Dale Winke.

Best Way to Help Hurricane Congregations

Congregations wishing to provide support to Gulf Coast congregations impacted by hurricanes this season should continue to check the websites of the UUA's Southwestern Conference, Mid-south District for the latest information on the needs of congregations in those areas. Check also with the individual congregations, especially First Unitarian Church, New Orleans, as it considers renovating its flooded building; Community Church UU, as it determines its future in the absence of its destroyed building; and North Shore UU Society, which had to replace its roof. Also check the UUA's front page for reports on how the UUA-UUSC Gulf Coast Relief Fund is being used to help Gulf Coast residents and UU congregations.

(From "Briefly Noted," Interconnections - Jan. 2006)

UU World on Web More Useful: Two Ways

Check out uuworld.org, the UUA's new Internet publication. The site has been transformed from a digital archive of past issues of UU World to a dynamic web magazine that is updated weekly with articles about congregations and Unitarian Universalism—and now it contains more UU World articles than ever.

The new web magazine is a place where you can direct visitors so they can learn more about us in an attractive format, and it's a way for the rest of us to keep current with what's happening in the UU universe.

You can also sign up for a weekly email update of what's new on the website.

(From "Briefly Noted," Interconnections - Jan. 2006)

New Chalice Adopted

The UUA unveiled a new chalice logo at GA. Intended to more clearly identify materials coming from the UUA and create a more consistent branded image, the logo can also be used by congregations. See the UUA website for more information and digital files for print applications. The UU Church of Indianapolis' webmaster has web-ready versions as well.

(From "Briefly Noted," Interconnections - Jan. 2006)

Stone Soup: A different kind of potluck!

Gwyn Reid

On Sunday, March 5, the Stewardship Committee invites you to join the BUUF community in a different kind of POTLUCK. Based on the story, "Stone Soup," everyone will contribute something to create a delicious soup to share. Please bring cut up soup vegetables to the service on Sunday instead of a potluck dish. During the service, members of the Stewardship committee will cook two soups (vegetarian and chicken) for the community to share after the service during our usual potluck time.

In the story, "Stone Soup," a hungry stranger helps a village recognize their ability to create community through generosity. He explains that he can make soup from a stone. He places the stone and water in a large pot and begins to stir. As he stirs, he hints that the soup might be a little better with just an onion, or just a few carrots, or a this or a that. Individuals in the crowd recognize that they might have the items needed to make the soup. Each villager contributes what they have from their stores. Before long, he and the villagers have created a delicious soup for everyone to share. "Stone Soup" is about sharing what you have, no matter what it is, and trusting it will make a positive difference in the life of our community.

We hope this will be a fun way to demonstrate how BUUFers come together to create something wonderful.

New Art Exhibit

Boise artist Judith Holcombe presents a new one-person show March 5 through April 11. Meet Judith after the service on Sunday, March 5, and see her exhibition of watercolors and other media. Judith, who particularly likes working in pen and ink, also experiments in many other media and has won awards for landscape, portrait and mixed media paintings. She has displayed her work regionally.