EverGreene
Reverend Elizabeth Greene
Know how they always say it's OK to talk about anything in polite society, except politics and religion?
One of the many things I like about being a Unitarian Universalist is that we do talk about those two subjects. (Actually, we may be more comfortable with the politics part, but that's a topic for another time!)
In our religious tradition, we believe that part of being a faithful UU is working in the larger community for the common good. Sometimes we take a position as a body, as in our current Welcoming Congregation stand against the proposed anti-gay constitutional amendment. At other times we, as individuals, put our time, energy and other resources into the common good. I remember the year that three members of our Fellowship were in a November election: one for Idaho governor, and the other two for national positions.
I am happy to report that we are repeating that pattern this
year, with two BUUF members and one friend are running for state office. Jackie
Groves is running for state controller; Bob Wallace is running for state
attorney general; and Ryndy Williams is running for Jerry Sweet's state
legislative seat from Meridian.
As a church, we of course do not endorse candidates or partisan (party-related) issues, so there will be no official BUUF support for these candidates. (All three are running as Democrats, but there is nothing in our philosophy, theology, history or practice to keep a Republican from being a member of our congregation and running for an office.)
What I am hoping is that we, as individual Unitarian Universalists, will do everything we can to contribute to our friends who are carrying their religious principles into the public arena. It is vital that our embracing religion make its mark in the public arena.
Go, Jackie! Go, Bob! Go, Ryndy! We are proud of you.
Letter from the President
Patti Raino
Hello from the Board. Our March Board meeting was both interesting and productive. Ed Davis recently attended the Mid-Size UU Conference in Phoenix, where he had an opportunity to hear several financial workshops. Ed is interested in establishing an endowment fund at BUUF and gained valuable information on how that might be accomplished.
Jim Geddings, our treasurer presented the financials through January. Revenue is ahead and expenses less than the budget to date. This is typical as people often pay their operating pledges in December for tax purposes. Maggie Reid reported on the results of the Auction. It will bring in more over expenses than was budgeted. It was a fun and profitable event. The special auction appeal to raise funds to build the "Walk in Time" pathway collected $3300. This should allow us to complete the walkway, except for the mosaic sections that will be built over time by our 5th and 6th grade classes.
Suzanne Woodcock, co-chair of the committee planning the Pacific Northwest District (PNWD) Annual General Meeting (AGM) showed the Board the beautiful logo and said the theme for the conference will be "Knowledge, Commitment, Compassion". The AGM will be held in Boise next February over the Presidents day holiday. This event is paid for by PNWD through registration proceeds. Suzanne anticipates 250-400 UU's will attend.
As an official Welcoming congregation the Board and BUUF will be working internally and with other groups to oppose the November constitutional ballot initiative to limit the freedoms of gay, lesbian and transgender citizens. The Welcoming Committee has gathered the names of more than 40 people at BUUF who want to help in the fight against this initiative. We will also use the proceeds from some of our plate collections for social action to help fund activities and groups working to publicize opposition to this amendment.
The nominating committee has been busy interviewing people for three director positions that will be vacant at the end of this fiscal year. The slate of candidates presented to the Board was Jim Geddings, for Treasurer, Emmi Schlobaum for Vice-President and Wendy Kirkpatrick for the at-large director position.
The board approved a policy change to the Art Exhibition Policy to allow exhibitors to display the price or "nfs" on small signs placed next to the displayed art. Lastly for your listening pleasure the Board approved working with the Master Chorale Board to present a Mozart concert to possibly be held June 11.
Stewardship Notes
Lynne Tolk
You may have noticed there is no 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?
The BUUF Big-Top Circus
Maggie Reid
Every child remembers their first trip to the circus. Perhaps it's been awhile, or perhaps you've simply never had the opportunity to attend a 3-ring circus under the big top. In either case, a truly magical experience awaits you, under the BUUF Big Top on May 7, 2006.
Following the Commitment Service, Sunday, May 7, please join with all
your BUUF friends outside in the courtyard for some fabulous family fun.
Food will be provided, as well as entertainment, face painting, fun
carnival games, cotton candy and more. During the festivities you can
stay tuned for results from the Feed the Flame pledge drive, which will
be updated as the figures are tallied.
This year has been a banner year for BUUF. Members and friends of this fellowship have really been out in the community, doing good work, with things like Rake up Boise, the Crop Walk, and participation in the Pride march. Our fellowship has hosted more public events like the Buddhist relics, Church Women United and the Transylvanian Fesztival. All of these events brought members of Treasure Valley community to our building and grounds. We have created more awareness and are indeed more active in our community. Please join us as we celebrate all that our support has made possible this past year, and all that we can create in the coming year.
Multiculturalism in Religious Education
Karen Raese
Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend a Renaissance Module, training offered specifically for Directors of Religious Education and other religious education folks. This workshop focused on Multicultural Religious Education. About 12 people traveled to Boise for this training and four of us from BUUF were also in attendance! It was an amazing occasion for all of us to explore this area and to network with others devoted to religious education. It was fifteen hours of intense workshop! Paul Kivel's book, Uprooting Racism, was our background text and written to help white people work for racial justice. Throughout the weekend we became more aware of racial and other biases, such as age, language, class, gender, ability and sexual orientation that influence each of us. Our goal as Religious Educators, ultimately, is to be able to review curricula used in our Religious Education program for these biases and make necessary changes to improve them. The good news is that most of our newer curricula have been written with many of these issues in mind. Others, unfortunately, will need to be updated before they are used. With this in mind, we will continue to provide the best religious exploration/education program for our children and youth.
To move or not to move?
Cathy Carmen
As we progress through the Religious Exploration program year (September—June) our children constantly grow and change. Our DRE, Jennifer Thrall-Thomas and Program Specialist, Karen Raese, are often asked when and how children move on within the offerings of our RE Program. For example, can a child who turns three mid-year move from the nursery into the Preschool/Kindergarten class, which is designed for the 3- 6 year old age range? Or similarly, can a mature kindergarten student, one who turns 6 soon after entering school, be accommodated in the 1/2 grade classroom instead of being placed with the younger children? These are great questions with a number of individual and group management implications! In general, we like children to stay with their peer group from the beginning to the end of the program year. Since many children adjust slowly to change, making the transition with peers in the fall means everyone is getting use to something new at the same time. Also, some classes due to sheer size might have a difficult time accommodating a new influx of class member's mid-year. For older youth, group dynamics and cohesiveness are definitely influenced by time spent together. In general, we support the view that older youth stay with their age/peer group throughout a program year due to activities that are specifically sequenced for them (e.g., Our Whole Lives Human Sexuality class, Coming of Age and the trip to Boston). Moving might place a youth in a position to miss these great offerings.
Some questions to consider if you wish to request a move might include: 1. Is my child developmentally (cognitively, emotionally, physically) ready to participate in the next class? 2. What is expected in terms of behavior, skills, participation in that class? 3. What do the teachers of that class think? 4. What do my child's current teachers/caregivers think? 5. Have I discussed my concerns with others?
If you are a parent/grandparent and have questions and concerns about the RE Program meeting your child(ren) needs, please be in conversation with Karen Raese and the teachers currently working with your child(ren). We truly want to know what you are thinking and how to best meet your needs.
Summer RE Coordinator Needed
The Religious Education committee is busy planning for our summer program. Pending board approval and funding, we are exploring the possibility of hiring a summer RE coordinator. The coordinator's primary responsibilities would include scheduling and confirming volunteers, obtaining necessary class supplies and facilitating the chalice lighting opening ritual for each Sunday during the summer. If you are interested in learning more about this position, please contact Karen Raese, RE Elementary Program Specialist at 658-1710.
Easter Egg Hunt
Easter is just around the corner on April 16 and so is the annual Easter egg hunt at BUUF! Children at BUUF will be scouring the grounds this year AFTER the 11:00 service instead of between services. To help with the fun, you may pick up a bag of empty plastic eggs from the side foyers on April 2 or April 9 and return them filled with novelty items.(Or you are welcome to use eggs you took home last year.) In previous years, the kids have thoroughly enjoyed the surprises (instead of candy) in the eggs, so please continue to be creative! A list of suggestions for egg-filling will be included with the plastic eggs when you pick them up. More announcements later.
Mirror, Mirror on the wall
Cathy Carmen
Mark your calendars now for the Mirror, Mirror Silent Auction on Sunday, April 9, following the 11 o'clock service. Our own gallery walls will feature 40+ small framed mirrors decorated by youth, in a wide variety of mediums. Proceeds benefit us all and will be placed in BUFF's general operating budget. Celebrate our young artists and support BUUF!
Mystery Guest
Cathy Carmen
Throughout the month of April, the 5/6 graders of our 11o'clock RE Program will be super sleuths in an effort to discover amazing things about one BUUF member. Sound intriguing...? The RE Committee is testing out a new intergenerational activity to replace the former Secret Buddy event. If it proves successful, more elementary classes will have a chance to participate in the coming years. Beginning on April 9 and continuing for three weeks, clues will be introduced at the beginning of the class time. Some of these clues will be written messages; some will be "physical evidence" of the person's life-adventures. On April 30, the Mystery Guest will visit the class in person to answer questions and share his/her more complete life stories. We wonder just who that Mystery Guest will be
The Consultation on Youth Ministry:
An Opportunity for Visioning and Growth
Ministry with youth is about listening, empowerment, and spiritual guidance. It is instrumental to the vitality and growth of Unitarian Universalist communities. The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations is embarking on a two-year process to revitalize and strengthen youth ministry. Our congregation's engagement in the process is essential to its success. The Consultation on Ministry To and With Youth is designed to be a grassroots process that begins with input from individuals and congregations and progresses to districts and the organizations that provide services and support to the congregations. It is an inclusive and transformative process.
The first step for our congregation is to ensure that our youth grades 7 thru 12 who have been involved in our congregation receive and complete a survey. This has already been accomplished. However, even if someone did not return their survey to the UUA, we still want them to participate in the upcoming Congregational Conversation.
Our congregation's next step will be an opportunity for listening, dialogue, visioning and strategizing at our intergenerational Youth Ministry Congregational Conversation on SUNDAY, APRIL 23, from 1 to 4 PM. Because this conversation is about the life and vitality of our congregation as a whole, everyone is encouraged to attend and actively participate. The effectiveness of this conversation will depend on the participation of our congregation's stakeholders and leaders. The gathering will be co-facilitated by one of our many outstanding youth and Marcia Lyons. Contact Linda Sutherland for more information about how to become involved in this exciting opportunity for our congregation.
Caring Corner
Pastoral Care Team
It is the time of year for us to start casting off all the layers we've accumulated over the winter months. Yet, it seems that no sooner do we shed something than life changes and we need it again. That is the joy and the sorrow of transitions.
We often have little control over the transitions of our lives. That's just the way life is. We do, however, have control over our attitude as we face transitions. We can greet it with stoic rigidity, childlike fluidity, or some other of the many points in between. We can even decide from moment to moment to change how we face transitions.
As you face transitions in your life, remember you don't have to face them alone. 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 Newsletter
Charlotte Tompkins and Gwyn Reid
Our two pilgrims this year, Mary Schwartzman and Miriam Woito, will be going to Miszku in April, arriving in Bucharest on the 10th. They will take a train from there to Kolozsvar (Cluj) and then a van to Miszku, and will be in the village on Easter Sunday. They will meet the new minister, Balint Robert, his wife, Reka, and their four-year-old daughter, Dalma. They will also meet with the Board to discuss the future of the church, and they hope to meet with the bishop. They will also take a welcome gift to the family and will create an Easter egg hunt for the children of the congregation (plastic eggs with goodies). If anyone would like to contribute to these gifts, please contact Gwyn Reid
We were saddened to learn this month of the death of Reverend Laszlo Kiss of the Torda congregation. Rev. Kiss (cousin of Zsuzsa Bartha) died unexpectedly at the age of 35. His death occurred within hours of a heated debate with an ultra-nationalist Romanian Party member of the Torda city council. It is a tragic example of the tenuous relations between ethnic Hungarians and Romanians in the region. A sympathy card will be available for people to sign through the first Sunday of April. Mary and Miriam will carry it to Rev. Kiss's widow.
Next year's trip to Miszku will be more like the first two pilgrimages with more travel to various sites of interest in Romania in addition to visiting Miszku. Be one of the first four travelers to sign up and (if it's your first trip) you will receive a $500 stipend.
Social Action Opportunities
OPPOSE the anti-gay marriage amendment. Coalition now forming. Watch the Sunday bulletin for updates.
WOMEN IN BLACK stand in silence to protest war. First Tuesdays from noon-1pm in front of City Hall at Capitol and 8th. Men are welcome. Black veils provided. Dr. Chandra Silva, 724-7643.
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.
Our Chance to Fight
Besse LaBudde, Social Action Chair
Always in the background at BUUF is the clamor or the whisper, "we oughta be out there for social justice." We are progressing in finding our voice and place in community outreach and I have discovered that "being out there" mostly concerns the desire for demonstrations and high profile action. Well, guys, you have your wish. Haul out the maroon shirts; the cause is at hand. Will you stand with the coalition to oppose the anti-gay marriage amendment to the Idaho constitution scheduled for vote in November?. Let's rephrase that. The gauntlet is thrown: STAND OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE!
Humanist Group News
Larry Standley
At their monthly meeting, Sun., March 12, BUUF Humanists discussed behavior geneticist Dean Hamer's controversial book, The God Gene, which has many important implications for both religious and humanist thought. Paul Rolig's facilitation of the discussion was much appreciated.
At its next meeting on April 9, the group will discuss postmodernism, with particular emphasis on the unfinished business of modernismtopics particularly germane for humanists and very significant for all members of Western societies.
BUUF humanist meetings are held at 9 am on the second Sunday of each month in the Frances Balazs Room (Sr. High Room). BUUF members, friends and visitors are always welcome. A special invitation is extended to senior high school students, who might find the concepts of postmodernism surprisingly interesting and illuminating in their own lives.
Senior Sages News
Join BUUF's elder statesmen and stateswomen for fun discussions and stimulating presentations on the second and fourth Thursdays of most months. The meetings include no-host breakfasts and are in the banquet room of the Kopper Kitchen on Airport Way. They start at 9:30am.
April 13 A presentation by documentary filmmaker Seth Randal, who is the producer, director and writer of "The Fall of '55" a film which looks at the infamous "boys of Boise" morals drive and Boise's attempt to stamp out homosexuality.
April 27 a fascinating topic and speaker to be announced soon
Book Club News
BUUF has two book clubs. Both meet in private homes and both are open to newcomers. Hosts simply request that prospective attendees call ahead to permit an accurate cookies and coffee count.
Sunday, April 9 The Other Book Club has a hot time discussing Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 at Phyl Hower's home, 3277 Dove Place (off Ustick just east of Five Mile), 321-1431. It's at 7pm.
Tuesday, April 18 The Classic Group romps along with Saul Bellow's The Adventures of Augie March at the home of Pam Nagel, 1200 Happy Drive (on the rim, just north of Morris Hill Cemetery), 342-8918. We'll also be selecting the works for next year. It's at 7pm.
A Fresh Look
The Building & Grounds Cluster will be hosting a Work Party on a Saturday in May. The goal is to attend to as many spring cleaning, small maintenance and organizational tasks as possible. Watch your order of service for the exact date. If you know of a job that needs to be done at this party, please contact Sheryce Davis (378-8326).
Building Stewardship ... It Takes a Village
Are you part of a committee or group that meets at the Fellowship during the week? Have you ever enjoyed our festive potlucks and parties? Our staff and volunteers work hard to ensure that our space is clean and comfortable. On occasion, however, they find themselves having to spend valuable work time tending to tasks left undone by others.
Being aware of a few simple guidelines will make this community space much more usable for everyone. Please be mindful to practice and model the following tasks:
- Wash, dry and return any dishes you have used.
- Take ALL leftover food items home to enjoy in your own household.
- Clean up classrooms used for meetings or classes.
- Turn out all classroom (and bathroom) lights as you leave.
- Make sure all doors are securely locked and latched.
From everyone involved in the maintenance and use of our building, thank you for your care and thoughtfulness!
The God Gene
Paul Rolig
BUUF Humanists discussed The God Gene by Dean Hamer at their monthly meeting Sunday, March 12. In it, the author proposes that people have a genetic predisposition for spiritual belief that is expressed in response to, and is shaped by, personal experience and the cultural environment. These genes, he argues, act by influencing the brain's capability for various types and forms of consciousness, which become the basis for spiritual experiences.
The term "God gene" is, in fact, a gross oversimplification of the theory. There are probably many different genes involved, rather than just one. And environmental influences are just as important as genetics. Finally, spirituality has a broader meaning than belief in a particular God or acceptance of any specific doctrine.
Hamer defines spirituality as the personality trait associated with "self-transcendence." Self-transcendence describes spiritual feelings that are independent of traditional religiousness. It has three components: (1) Self-forgetfulness—getting so involved with work or other interest, you forget where you are and what time it is, etc. (2) Transpersonal Identification—feeling a sense of unity with things around you; animals, plants, environment, other people, or causes, etc. (3) Mysticism—feeling spiritual connections with other people or things, or being moved by music, poetry, etc., or fascination with things that cannot be explained by science, e.g., Einstein's "the fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious."
Mystical experiences can be associated with fluctuations in brain chemicals known as monoamines. These include dopamine ("feel good"), serotonin ("feel bad"), and adrenaline (dealing with stress).
Hamer thinks people developed spirituality during their evolution just as they developed language, painting, singing, dancing, farming, and so forth.
Sex, Lies & Education
Come watch this incredible documentary film with the Senior High and Welcoming Congregation on Sunday, April 9 at 2pm.
The Education of Shelby Knox is a coming of age story
about a teenage girl who joins a campaign for comprehensive sex
education in the high schools of Lubbock, Texas.
As Shelby is swept into the fight, she begins to question her deeply conservative Southern Baptist upbringing; when the campaign broadens to include a fight for a gay-straight alliance, Shelby confronts her family and her pastor, in the end, it is a story of all teenagers and all parents, a story of acceptance and understanding.
This movie won Excellence in Cinematography at the "Sundance Film Festival" last year (2005) and was selected for the "Human Rights Watch Film Festival" (2005-2006). And much more
Please join us for no host lunch at the China One International Buffet on Glenwood after the second service 12:30-1:30. This film is a must see for all junior high and high school youth, as well as all parents and all adults. Child Care will be provided free of charge for younger kids at 2:00 pm as this film really is not suitable for kids under junior high age. We hope that you will come and join us for this poignant film.
Remember April 9th, 2:00 pm at BUUF!
General Assembly Coming June 21-25 to St. Louis
General Assembly will be held on a Wednesday through Sunday schedule this year (June 21 to 25 in St. Louis), rather than the customary Thursday through Monday. The change is to make it more compatible with attendees' travel and vacation schedules.
The GA Planning Committee is revising its scholarship process this year. Those applying for scholarships will be required to secure a pledge of financial support from their congregations. The Planning Committee will match that pledge up to $250, and in some cases will pay the whole registration fee.
Registration for adults is $280 before April 30 and then $325. An adult one-day registration is $95/$110. Youth (14 to 20) are $155/$180 and $55/$65 for one day. There is daytime care for children through age 5. Those from 6 to 10 may enroll in day camp, and 8 to 14 in Young Fun, a full-time overnight program held off site.
Presidents of congregations are eligible for a 75 percent reimbursement of registration fees.
Highlights of GA will be the Opening Ceremony Wednesday night, Service of the Living Tradition Thursday night, youth-to-adult Bridging Ceremony Friday night, Ware Lecture Saturday night (with poet Mary Oliver), Sunday morning worship, and the Closing Ceremony Sunday night. Official delegates to GA (the number is based on your congregation's membership) are asked to attend all six plenary (business) sessions of GA.
Future GAs will be: June 20-24, 2007, Portland, Ore., and June 25-29, 2008, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
(From "Briefly Noted", Interconnections, April 2006)
New Hymnal Format Aids Those With Sight Disability
The Unitarian Universalist hymnal, Singing the Living Tradition, is now available at no cost in Microsoft Word format for people who are unable to read the bound version. The UUA's accessibilities program associate, the Rev. Devorah Greenstein, will, on request, send you an email attachment or mail a CD of lyrics and readings (no music is included) in the hymnal.
Contact Greenstein at dgreenstein (at) uua.org or 617-948-6451. This service is available only for people who cannot read regular printed material. Copyright law prevents copying parts of the hymnal without permission for use by sighted people.
(From "Briefly Noted", Interconnections, Jan. 2006)
Consider "Moral Values"
Need a lifespan education topic for spring? Consider a course on "Moral Values in a Pluralistic Society," the Study/Action Issue approved by General Assembly delegates in June. A packet of information on this topic was mailed to congregations in October and is also available online at www.uua.org/csw.
(From "Briefly Noted", Interconnections, Jan. 2006)
Book on Relationships Available for Use In Men's, Women's Groups
Neil Chethik, a founder of the UU Men's Network, has written a book on relationships that can be used in men's, women's, and couples' groups. VoiceMale (Simon and Schuster, 2005) is based on Chethik's national survey of 360 husbands of all ages, ethnic and racial backgrounds, religious affiliations, and lengths of marriage.
The book challenges stereotypes about men and relationships, including: men are commitment-phobic; all men care about is sex; and you can't change a man. Chethik also found a statistical link between housework and sex.
Chethik's first book was FatherLoss (Hyperion, 2001). VoiceMale brings to the fore the male point of view on such marital issues as money, sex, housework, balancing home and family life, raising children, and other issues. It also describes a "masculine style of loving" that, in comparison to the feminine style, relies more on actions than words, more on sharing space than feelings, and more on side-by-side closeness than face-to-face intimacy.
Chethik is available to congregations to preach, speak, and lead workshops based on the findings of his book. For more information visit his website, www.voicemalebook.com or contact him at nchet (at) aol.com.
(From "Briefly Noted", Interconnections, April 2006)
Curly Willow Up for Grabs
BUUF Landscape Committee
Sad to report, but the row of trees on the south parking lot are going to have to be removed soon, as the roots are getting invasive and cracking the paving.
If you have wanted some of the willow for a craft project, or to root and plant in your yard, please come and remove what you want. The pussy willows may be taken as well.
Melissa Chambers Art
A new one-person exhibit by our own Melissa Chambers opens at BUUF on Sunday April 16. Come to the South Wing Gallery after/between the services, meet Melissa, and explore a great retrospective of some of her portraits of BUUF members and friends.
Please Keep for Future Reference
With book sale receipts from all the terrific books donated by our congregants and funds from our regular budget, the Library Committee recently purchased $400 of new volumes for our BUUF Library shelves. Below is a listing of the new books and the shelf categories where they can be found. Explore and Enjoy!
UU Authors/UUism
ABC's for UU Newcomers – John A. Buehrens – Based on the old-fashioned abecedaries, this is a light-hearted introduction for adults to the basics of UUism. 62 pp.
American Universalism – George Huntston Williams – A classic study of Universalist theology which examines the richness of American Universalism and its many expressions in American life and thought. 136 pp.
Black Pioneers in a White Denomination – Mark D. Morrison-Reed – Portrait of racism in liberal religion tells the story of 2 pioneering black ministers. 280 pp.
Engaging Our Theological Diversity – UUA Commission on Appraisal – In a recent sermon, Elizabeth referenced this in-depth study on the wide variety of UU theological beliefs and the ways in which this diversity is a source of enrichment and conflict. 192 pp.
The Epic of Unitarianism – Ed. David B. Parke – Collection of writings which span the 16th through 20th centuries and provides a rich portrait of early Unitarian thought. 176 pp.
The Essential Clarence Skinner – Charles A. Howe – Selections from Skinner's writings and an account of his life introduces this important Universalist to a new generation of readers. 120 pp.
Faith Without Certainty – Paul Rasor – In the tradition of James Luther Adams, this clear-eyed yet hopeful analysis explores the dynamic tension of liberal theology in the 21st century, committed to individual freedom on the one hand and community on the other. 256 pp.
For Faith and Freedom – Charles A. Howe – An account of Unitarianism in Europe includes the martyrdom of Michael Servetus, the leadership of Faustus Socinus, the eloquence of Francis David, and the literary genius of Harriet Martineau. 232 pp.
A Hero of Our Own – Sheila Isenberg – The "American Schindler," Varian Fry , with the help of the UUSC, helped rescue over a thousand people from the Nazi regime. Notables included Marc Chagall, Max Ernst, Andre Breton, Hannah Arendt, plus a lot of just plain folks. An inspiring account. 273 pp.
A Language of Reverence – Ed. Dean Grodzins – 5 UU scholars address 2 big questions: "Are we talking about religion in a way adequate to our needs as a religious community?" and "What are we talking about when we talk about religion?" 140 pp.
The Larger Faith – Charles A. Howe – Covers Universalism from 1793 to consolidation with Unitarianism in 1961 to the present-day UUism. 168 pp.
Out of the Flames – Lawrence & Nancy Goldstone – Meet Michael Servetus, a bold free-thinker who discovered blood circulation, questioned religious orthodoxy, and wrote a book that cost him his life. 368 pp.
The Premise and the Promise – Warren Ross – Story of the UUA. Two like-minded but separate religious bodies elect to unite and move into the future together. 248 pp.
This Day in Unitarian-Universalist History – Frank Schulman – This source spans 6 centuries of UU anniversaries and milestones for each day of the year. Great for program planners, RE leaders, and creating family celebrations & traditions. 296 pp. This is a non-circulating volume for reference.
Welcoming Children With Special Needs – Sally Patton – An empowering resource for accepting special needs children into our congregations. Includes information on many special needs plus training guidelines and inclusion strategies. 304 pp.
Science and Nature
Science and Religion magazine. We will receive a year's subscription. Please check out this periodical, and let our committee know if we should renew.
Humanism
Making the Manifesto – William F. Schulz – The story of the religious humanist movement in the 1920's and 30's and the people who created its keystone document, the "Humanist Manifesto." 176 pp.
Comparative Religion
A History of God – Karen Armstrong – Traces the history of how men and women have perceived and experienced God from Abraham's time to the present. The author was a guest in the Distinguished Lecturers' series in Boise recently.
Eastern Relgions
A Modern Buddhist Bible – Eastern and Western writings that redefine Buddhism for our era. Kerouac, Ginsberg, Dalai Lama, Gary Snyder and others contribute. 304 pp.
Native American
A Seat at the Table – Huston Smith – Conversations with 10 influential Native American spiritual leaders regarding their 500-year struggle for religious freedom. 203 pp.
Paganism/Wicca
Aisha's Moonlight Walk – Anika Stafford – Follow fictional Aisha and her modern-day family as they celebrate the 8 Pagan holidays throughout a year. Author is a DRE who wrote this for 5-12 year olds and families to share. 96 pp.
Cultural Studies
Gilgamesh, a New English Version – Stephen Mitchell – Esteemed author and translator brings us a vivid new rendering of the oldest story in World Literature about King Uruk and his journey of self-discovery. Predates The Iliad by a thousand years.
Landscape
2001 Sunset Western Gardening Book – Reference only; non-circulating.
