EverGreene
Reverend Elizabeth Greene
At a telephone meeting of the Pacific Northwest District Board (on which our on-leave Religious Education Director Jennifer Thrall Thomas serves and I am liaison to the national Unitarian Universalist Board), someone suggested a congregational-contact program for May, "since I figure most of them will be winding down by then."
Obviously, this person has not been in congregational leadership very much. It seems as though May is often the month when so many things we value are embodied. Every other year (not this one), we have a Coming of Age service, starring our junior high folks, telling us what they believe. Every year, we have a Bridging Service (May 14), featuring our graduating seniors, telling us what it has been like to be "our kids" for years and now be facing the world as a UU adult. On the third Sunday in May, we have our annual congregational meeting, after one service, in which I reflect upon how our year has shaped up, in comparison to our aspirations.
And, this year, on the first Sunday (May 7), we have Commitment Sunday. This Sunday is going to be fun and inspirational, a chance for us to have several experiences we don't usually have. We have a very special guest speaker, The Rev. Dr. Justin Osterman, who serves the Paramus, New Jersey UU congregation, and who is the son of our Mary Osterman. Justin is a great guy, a terrific preacher, and an inspirational minister—you will enjoy him. On that Sunday, we will make our decisions about how much financial sterwardship we want to pledge to our vibrant, growing church, and we will have a fun-for-all circus-themed party/meal afterwards.
BUUF is really thriving, and we hope to just keep on going. Join us in our May festivities!
Letter from the President
Patti Raino
Hello from the Board. We had a full agenda at our April meeting. There are two very important events in May that were discussed as part of our agenda. The first will occur on Sunday May 7. That Sunday is "Celebration Sunday" and will be my opportunity and your opportunity to celebrate the importance of BUUF in each of our lives. Plan to attend, plan to turn in your operating pledge for the year and plan to have a good time. See you there!
The second important event is our annual meeting on Sunday May 21. In this newsletter is the notice of annual meeting, the agenda and proposed changes to the by laws. Please note that on that Sunday there will only be one service at 10 a.m. and then the annual meeting will follow starting at 11:45 a.m. A light lunch and child-care will be provided.
Each voting member should plan to attend this important meeting. I also encourage friends of the fellowship to attend. The meeting agenda includes a special presentation by Jay Wechselberger on Small Group Ministry (a program we will begin next fall), election of officers, special recognition of outstanding service to BUUF and a short strategic planning session.
As part of the strategic planning session BUUF will also be assisting the Pacific Northwest District governing board in creating a vision for our district and our fellowship by collecting responses to the following questions.
- What makes BUUF unique and special?
- What are we known for in our community?
- What is the greatest obstacle in the way of your church living its mission in a powerful public way or of living up to its fullest potential?
- How are decisions made in the congregation?
- When you have questions, where do you go for help?
A complete report with all the responses will be compiled and the information will be distributed in a future newsletter.
Delmar Stone, our vice-president resigned effective April 20. Delmar and his partner Gordon will be immigrating to Canada later this year. We will miss both of them. By unanimous board approval Wanda Jennings assumes his position as vice-president. Wanda is willing to be president and past-president over the next two years. Our board is grateful for Wanda's willingness to accept this leadership role. Wanda has previously served as president of BUUF.
Creating New Visions—Your Help is Needed
BUUF will be assisting the Pacific Northwest District governing board in creating a vision for our district and our fellowship. At BUUF's annual meeting on May 21, 2006, the BUUF board will be collecting responses to the following questions.
- What makes BUUF unique and special?
- What are we known for in our community?
- What is the greatest obstacle in the way of your church living its mission in a powerful public way or of living up to its fullest potential?
- How are decisions made in the congregation?
- When you have questions, where do you go for help?
You will be able to share your written responses at the annual meeting. A complete report with all the responses will be compiled and distributed after the meeting.
En Thralled with RE
Karen Raese
April was another incredible month in children's religious education! We started the month with the very successful Mirror, Mirror silent auction children's stewardship project. Nearly 40 children and youth participated. This was ably coordinated by Sandy Jack, a member of the Religious Education/Exploration (RE) committee.
The pilot version of a new intergenerational activity called Mystery Guest was created and introduced to the fifth and sixth grade class by RE committee member Emmie Schlobohm and Cathy Carmen, RE committee chair. Hopefully next year this will expand so that more children can be involved in getting to know adults in the congregation.
The Senior High youth group sponsored the showing of The Education of Shelby Knox. Third and fourth graders created and sold potluck bags, promoting the earth friendly idea of a paperless potluck. The Junior High youth group was fortunate to participate in a Seder Dinner with Alan Schwartzman. And, regular classes were held, including lessons focusing on the cycle of life and death and the renewal, joy and hope that spring brings. Of course, Easter Sunday brought joyous throngs of children to RE classes and to hunt eggs on our lovely grounds. Thanks go to Barbara Pinkerton for organizing this enormous event and to Gene Delucchi, both RE committee members, and the Junior High youth for assisting.
None of these events could have happened without the amazing people who work with our children, and behind the scenes, each and every Sunday. These wonderful folks include our esteemed RE teachers, advisors, nursery care providers and committee members. They are the folks who actually make our Religious Education program so great! My hat goes off to each of you.
Mystery Guest Revealed
Cathy Carmen
The Children's RE Program has been trying out a new, intergenerational event—Mystery Guest. So many of our BUUF members and friends live such interesting lives, we wanted our youth to get the opportunity to know them in a personal way. Throughout the month of April, the 5/6 grade class has pondered weekly clues, eaten tasty treats and made some wild guesses as to just who the Mystery Guest is. By the time this newsletter is printed, the identity of our own Phyl Hower will be revealed!!! We all learned a thing or two about her fascinating childhood as a ballerina with the San Francisco Ballet, the love of her life, Ward and their shared life working for and with Senator Frank Church both in Idaho and Washington, D.C. and finally their far-flung adventures serving in the Peace Corps in Brazil, Ghana and Kenya. We owe a huge thank you to Phyl for sharing with our youth. It has truly inspired us to expand our event for next year to hopefully include all elementary school-aged classes.
Summer Religious Education Needs...YOU!
Cathy Carmen
The Summer RE Program that runs mid-June through early September is looking for volunteer teachers. We have a curriculum that features 12 stories taken from Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories. Add a craft, snack and a UU Principle to explore in light of each tale and our summer program is made! The class is designed for a multi-aged group of children ages 5-10 years old. Youth younger are welcome to stay in the nursery (which, by the way, is also in need of volunteer caregivers), while youth older are invited to attend the single, 10 a.m., lay-lead service. If interested in being a teacher or a nursery caregiver, please watch for announcements in the Order of Services throughout the month of May for details about signing up. Come join us, "Oh, my Best Beloved"!
BUUF's Chalice Lighter Grant for New Sanctuary Floor
The Chalice Lighter Program provides grants to Pacific Northwest District congregations. These grants are funded by individual members of PNWD congregations who have previously indicated that they would "answer the call" for funds by sending in at least $10 for no more than three "calls" in one year. Individual congregations that have at least 30% of their members enrolled as Chalice Lighters are eligible to apply for a grant. The congregation must also be a UUA and PNWD honor society and program honor society. The congregation must also have a formal growth plan. BUUF meets all these criteria, and Harriet Shaklee and Gary Erickson wrote a proposal that was approved for funding. The Chalice Lighter call for BUUF was recently mailed to over 1100 enrolled Chalice Lighters throughout the PNWD. The money raised in this call will go to BUUF to help with permanent flooring for our sanctuary space. If you are a Chalice Lighter, please consider contributing as generously as you can. If you are not a member, please join.
The BUUF Interior Committee has had samples of bamboo, maple and tile flooring materials on display and is asking for members and friends to vote their preference for the sanctuary floor. A new floor will make the acoustics of the room much better, and it will improve the appearance of the room. We hope that it will also result in more rentals of the sanctuary.
Pastoral Care Team Report
Barry Hope
Recent meetings of the Pastoral Care Team included two guest speakers. Lynne Tolk announced that the canvass is underway and commitment Sunday will be on May 7. Motivating and heartfelt, her talk revealed the importance of our stewardship.
Susan Wildwood joined us for an in-service on the value of ritual. Her knowledge is vast and the outgrowth of suggestions discussed will benefit the Fellowship. Thanks go to both Lynne and Susan!
Look for further news about placement of the BUUF album of passages. This book will herald meaningful events in the lives of those who wish to share them.
Whether old or young, digital native or digital immigrant, there are times we feel alone or left out. The teeter-totter effect of spring creates an uphill battle for some of us. Give your original thoughts a try. Dredge up who you think you really are and be that thing. Organizing one's thoughts is a challenge; sometimes a sounding board can help put those rubber duckies in a row. Solidifying a plan or ascertaining personal objectives might fill the bill.
Call BUUF PCT, although we aren't operating in a professional status, we can often refer folks to proper channels. We listen and care and are thankful for the chance to be involved with the positive growth of the UU and its congregants. There is also a "request for assistance" drop box located in the church office.
What if we are alone? Everyone is different. Ultimately, we may well be alone anyway. Let's make it a nice place to be! The seasons they go round and round. . . Do what you love, the rest will follow in due course. Please insert your own advice; we'll listen. Rejoice in new found sunshine!
Mészkõ Partner Church News
Cynthia Alleman
As you read this issue of the newsletter, our BUUF pilgrims are returning home. Mary Schwartzman and Miriam Woito spent two weeks in Romania, including Easter weekend in Mészkõ. Thank you, Miriam and Mary, for being ambassadors! If you see them, ask them about their trip.
Exciting things are happening in Mészkõ! As Charlotte told you last month, the village has a long awaited new minister, Balint Robert. He writes that they have formed a Women's Association in the village and that the youth group is especially active. The youth group is hosting at least two events in Mészkõ with 30 guests. Robert tells us," The great thing is that there are lots of youth and children in the church every Sunday service." Renovation work has begun on the parsonage foundation after fixing all the drain pipes. AND they have established the "Partner Church Committee of the Mészkõ Congregation." Consisting of two women we know and love, the Partner Church Committee of Mészkõ has taken on improving relations between our two congregations. We will help them with that calling!
On this side of the world, every second Tuesday at 4:30 pm in the BUUF library, the partner church committee of the Boise congregation also meets to strengthen that relationship. Please know that you are welcome! On June 4, after the Sunday service and before our picnic, we will have a partner church recommitment ceremony, commemorating our 13 anniversary with Mészkõ.
Volunteer Presenters for Summer Services
Elton Hall
BUUF is always open. We hold single Sunday services at 10 am throughout the summer, when our minister has other duties and a little time to herself. Volunteers make presentations during the summer, and we need a few more to complete our schedule. Service coordinators assist presenters with organizing services.
A presentation focuses on a single topic and holds wide congregational interest. It should contain a spiritual message and be no more than 20 minutes in length. A presenter selects the reading, contemplation, as well as a reflection for lighting the chalice. Presenters may choose to conduct the service or have a service coordinator do so.
Half the services have already been taken. At the time of this writing, available dates are 6/11, 6/25, 7/2, 7/16, 7/23, 7/30, 8/13 and 8/27.
Summer services are a special time when we can hear from one another. It is a chance to share your insight and understanding with the congregation. If you would like to volunteer, email Elton Hall at . Please give more than one date on which you could speak and provide a title.
Clarence Darrow Speaks
Besse LaBudde
From neither the grave nor brittle tape, but via a talented interpretive performer, Clarence Darrow will be at BUUF May 12 and 13 to speak to us of his career-long fight for social justice. Bringing courtroom arguments and speeches to life, talented and acclaimed Darrow portrayer Gary Anderson will celebrate Darrow's opposition to racism, social injustice, the death penalty, conspiracy laws, and civil liberties violations. He will also include excerpts from the famous Scopes "monkey" trial and Idaho's trial of the century, the Big Bill Haywood trial for the murder of Governor Stuenenberg. The issues Darrow championed are still prominent in national and international news. As Unitarians, we speak out constantly on social injustices but are seldom aware that in doing so we follow in Darrow's footsteps. Come and experience the vigor of Darrow's attacks as the years disappear.
Performance times: Friday, May 12 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 13 at 2 p.m. Admission at the door is $20, $17 for seniors (65+)/students. Advance tickets: $15, seniors/students $12. Advance sales will be held between services and after the 11 a.m. service through May 7. If you have questions, call Besse LaBudde: 424-1627.
Habitat for Humanity Interfaith Build -- Boise September 2006
Jennifer Thrall Thomas
BUUF has been asked to take part in an interfaith building project here in Boise in beginning September 2006 for 12 weeks. In order to be a part of the building project, each congregation will donate $5,000 and commit to working on the project.
The BUUF senior high youth group is very excited about this project and wants to help make it a reality. Sr. High has had a presentation on Habitat for Humanity interfaith builds, and they have visited a current Habitat for Humanity build here in Boise.
In the upcoming months, the Sr. High will partner with the Social Action Committee to begin fundraising and to educate our congregation and generate interest in the building project.
The May and September collection plates for social outreach have already been designated for the Habitat Building project. Coupled with the enthusiasm from our Sr. High Youth and the Social Action committee, we are well on our way to participating in this exciting project!
See you on the building site with a hammer in your hand come September!
Humanist Group News
Larry Standley
April's discussion of postmodernism and its implications for both modernism and humanism was lively and fun. So much so that the discussion will be continued at the next monthly meeting, Sun., May 14.
For those who would like to join in without having been in attendance last month, please feel free to do so. No prior knowledge of post-modernity is needed. This would be a particularly good opportunity for other BUUF members, friends and visitors to see that our approach to humanism is anything but narrow, sterile or dull.
BUUF humanist meetings are held at 9 am on the second Sunday of each month in the Francis Balazs Room (Sr. High Room).
Friendship Day
Church Women United is celebrating May Friendship Day on the second Friday—May 12, 2006. The celebration will be held at Collister United Methodist Church, 4444 Taft Street in Boise. Brunch will be at 10:00 a.m. followed by a business meeting, and services starting at10:45. Please call 853-2415 for further information.
Senior Sages News
You can't beat the presentations at BUUF's Senior Sages sessions for variety and interest—and occasionally for groaner jokes and political commentary. The group meets on the second and fourth Thursday mornings of most months at the Kopper Kitchen Grille on Airport Way. Each presentation begins over a no-host breakfast starting at 9:30 a.m. Newcomers—of any adult age—are always most welcome.
Thursday, May 11
Dr. Charles Lauterbach discusses the book "1491 :
New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus" by Charles C. Mann.
Thursday, May 25
A spicy potpourri of brief items of wide-ranging interest delivered by
some of the Sages' eclectic participants.
Book Club News
BUUF members, friends and hangers-on participate in two book clubs, both of which meet in private homes over light desserts.
The Classics Literary Group
has finished its season of discussing time-tested British, American and
international fiction and will resume bi-monthly sessions in September.
Authors will include Dickens, Defoe, Hugo, Dreiser, and Thomas Wolfe.
The group is planning a 'bonus' summer read. (More on that in a month or
so.) New members are welcome—call Lorel Case at 376-3188 for
information.
The Other Book Club meets at 7 p.m. on the second Sunday evening of most months* to take on more contemporary fiction and non-fiction.
Sunday, May 21 at 7 p.m. It's Steven Levitt's "Freakonomics" at Erin Logan's home, 1702 Ridenbaugh, 336-4960. *Please note that this month only, because of Mom's Day, the group meets on the third Sunday. (June's book: "Gilead" by Marilynne Robinson)
Proposed Bylaws Changes
Loren Bergeson
The following bylaw changes will be on the agenda for the annual congregational meeting, to be held at BUUF on May 21 at 11:45 am, after the single Sunday service at 10 am.
These changes are mostly technical in nature, and they bring the bylaws in line with what our actual practice has been for many years.
The board is recommending to the congregation that the bylaws be amended so that everywhere the voting requirement is for a "2/3 majority of members present", the requirement be instead for a "2/3 majority of members present and voting." This will make it possible for a member to abstain without having to leave the meeting. It also eliminates the need to count the members present when the vote is taken.
The board is recommending to the congregation that the bylaws be amended to change the position of "immediate past president" to "past president". This gives us the option to elect any former president to this position, if the current president can't or shouldn't take the position.
The board is recommending to the congregation that the bylaws be amended to drop the requirement that the vice president be a member for at least one year. There may be an experienced UU who's recently moved to Boise but joined BUUF less than a year ago. Such a UU can make an excellent VP, and has done so in the past. If we think a person's length of BUUF membership is a problem, we nominate and elect someone else!
The board is recommending to the congregation that the bylaws be amended so that the president and past president be elected every year, rather than having those positions filled automatically based upon prior-year elections of the vice-president. This change gives us flexibility in a situation where the VP can't or shouldn't become the president; or the president can't or shouldn't continue as past president.
June 2006 - July 2007 Operating Budget Pledge Drive
Ed Davis, Finance Committee
The following information may be of interest as we all reflect on BUUF's annual pledge drive. One year ago the operating campaign had a pledge goal of $237,000. This year the goal is approximately $254,000, which is an increase of about $17,000.
The increase comes from two areas. First, the Finance Committee is anticipating a large increase in the mortgage beginning in the 2007-08 fiscal year. Roughly half of the mortgage increase has been budgeted for 2006-07. Second, our DRE Jennifer Thrall Thomas will be returning from a leave of absence without pay. We all look forward to having Jennifer back on the staff for the entire year in 2006-07. These two increases add to about $23,000. This means that all other committees and programs requested about $6,000 less than they did last year.
If this topic interests you, more detailed budget information may be found from the Related Links on this site's page for the Executive Board. If the budget is a topic that really, really interests you the Finance Committee would welcome new members. Talk to Loren Bergeson, Jim Geddings or Ed Davis if you would like to join the BUUF Finance Committee.
From the Finance committee:
Loren Bergeson
BUUF is currently in a growth spurt, and the level of pledge increases this year and next will determine if our recent growth can be sustained indefinitely, or if we slip into stagnation.
We decided three years ago to roughly double our building size, and to also increase our operating programs to make good use of the building. There was a four-year capital pledge campaign to come up with the down payment on the building expansion. We hoped that membership would grow so that we could afford the doubling of the mortgage payment from $2000/mo. to $4300/mo. that will hit us in June 2007. Stagnation could occur if we have to cut operating programs to make the new mortgage payment.
However, the gamble we took might pay off. Membership has grown from 195 to 240, but that's only about half the membership growth we need to cover the increased mortgage payment and increased funding of operating programs. It's taken us three years to achieve half the growth we need, but our capital campaign revenue was designed to only last four years. It's up to us to stretch our giving for an extra few years so the gamble really does pay off.
We had an opportunity to pay the current expenses of our growth spurt by renting our building to a Charter School. However, we decided that we would rather foot the bill ourselves rather than have another group, with more people than us, come in and use our building more than we do. Well, this year and the next are the years when we need to follow through on that decision to not rent our building, by instead paying the rent ourselves through increased pledging.
Our hope is that four years from now, we will have a vibrant community which continues to grow at a comfortable pace that makes us think that all of the increased giving was worth it.
UUA Matters
Rev. Elizabeth Greene, PNWD Trustee to the UUA Board
I write this just before I head out to Boston, to attend my third Unitarian Universalist Association Board meeting. Since I wrote my last "UUA Matters," I have gone for a quick two-day jaunt to Detroit, to work on a sub-committee, and I have been appointed Assistant Secretary to the Board. I am honored and happy to get appointed to something moderately important this early in my four-year tenure, and also very happy that it won't require very much extra work of me unless something bad happens to the secretary. I am delighted to report that the secretary is a relatively young man, in what appears to be excellent health.
We talk about what makes the UUA tick. We talk about racism and other oppressions and how we UUs can "unlearn" things like white privilege and male privilege and straight privilege. We spend a good deal of time and energy, in several contexts, trying to figure out how to serve congregations—what we can do to help our churches and fellowships and societies thrive and prosper. We worship together and we sing together.
I continue to be extremely energized by this work, and to be grateful to you, the BUUF congregation, for lending me to our larger movement. Thanks!!
Please visit www.uua.org/whatsnew.html for new and important online highlights on UUA.org for the month of April.
Funeral Consumers Alliance meeting and program: End-of-Life Care
Tom von Alten
The Funeral Consumers Alliance of Idaho will hold its annual meeting on Saturday, May 20, 10am at the Covenant Presbyterian Church, Five Mile and McMillan Road in Boise. Following the brief business meeting, BUUF member Judy Frederick will present End-of-Life Care: Engaging loved ones in conversation and how to deal with people in grief. Judy is a certified thanatologist and a registered nurse with experience in open-heart and newborn intensive care units. She has worked in private practice for more than 16 years, specializing in stress management, grief and loss. She studied dream theory with the Rev. Jeremy Taylor, a pioneer in the field of dream interpretation and exploration.
The FCAI is a volunteer, non-profit organization that provides information on obtaining simple, affordable, and meaningful funerals. It began as the Idaho Memorial Association in 1972, and is one of more than 120 nationwide affiliates of the Funeral Consumers Alliance (www.funerals.org). The FCA believes everyone has the right to know the options for obtaining economical funeral services.
Learn more from the FCAI website, at fcai.fortboise.org.
Vacations and Stories
Library Committee
We have three wonderful travel books by our own Julie Fanselow in the Library. They include a book about traveling the Oregon Trail, one about exploring the Lewis and Clark Trail, and the third features interesting spots to visit in Idaho. With the summer vacation season almost upon us, it's a good time to check out these volumes and plan a trip. Also in our BUUF Authors section is Jeanette Ross' book about storytelling and telling our own tales. Traveling with the family and sitting around the campfire can be great opportunities for developing and sharing family stories as well as stretching the imagination in fictional tales. Visit our Library and learn from our own travel and storytelling experts. These books can be found in the "green dot" section. We appreciate Jeanette and Julie enriching our collection with their writings.
Artists Wanted!
BUUF has a nifty little art gallery in the south wing hallway and frequently features the work of local artists. If you (or a friend) have paintings, prints, photography, collages, weavings, quilts or other easy-to-hang art with which to mount an exhibit, ask for the Art Eixhibtion Package (complete information and application) from the BUUF office, .
Elevator Speeches
In an Adult Religious Education class in spring, 2006, members wrote their "elevator speeches, " in response to the following hypothetical situation: if a person gets on an elevator with you, notices your flaming chalice pin, asks about it, and you only have a few floors to explain the Unitarian Universalist faith, what do you say?
Elevator Speech—Elton Hall
Our religion teaches that each person is on a spiritual path unique to him or her. There are many roads to the top of the mountain, and we are a community that supports each traveler on whatever road. For us, this is the love in action that binds us together. Sharing these different quests for truth and appreciating the mystery of each person are our prayer to the Great Mystery many call God.
Feed the Flame!
Lynne Tolk
This flame of our chalice represents the warmth and caring that make our community a safe haven for all of us, with all our differences. At the same time, it symbolizes the beacon of our path and values, now needed more than ever in the world.
May 7, Commitment Sunday, is your opportunity to make your own personal financial commitment to the support of this flame. Your volunteer and leadership efforts are also forms of commitment and all are important, all "feed the flame." All are giving of your energy (money is a symbolic representation of that energy you have expended to earn it).
Your giving benefits all of us, and we are all grateful. But it goes further. Every gift, every commitment you make serves to open your heart to something greater than yourself. This is a deeply spiritual act that furthers your own growth on this path of being human.
It's a PARTY!
Sheryce Davis, Building & Grounds Cluster
Please plan to join us on Saturday, May 20 for a good-old-fashioned work party at BUUF! It's kind of like a barn raising, but fortunately for us the "barn" has already been raised .... it's just in need of some spring cleaning and tender loving care.
We will meet at the fellowship from 9:00 a.m. to noon to complete tasks both inside the building and outside on the grounds. Cleaning supplies and tools will be provided, but feel free to bring your own if you have something you prefer to work with. Stay for an hour, or two, or more, depending on what your schedule allows!
It's been said that pitching in on an event like this can bring a multitude of good tidings. Please plan to join the Building & Grounds cluster with the Landscape and Interiors Committees for a fun morning of fellowship.
What is ministry?
Jay Wechselberger
Do you know that there are many ministers at BUUF? Yes, it's true. Elizabeth is our called minister, but each one of us can be a minister. Ministry is the use of a person's (yours, mine, Elizabeth's) gifts and talents, time and energy, in the service of others. It involves the exercise of roles designed to fulfill a mission in different works of service, such as in worship, teaching, leadership, welfare, and stewardship. Ministry is a way of serving and caring for others through personal connection.
As our fellowship grows it becomes impossible for one person to meet all the individual ministry needs of members and friends. The Pastoral Care Committee certainly does a great job when we have a member in crisis or in need of particular caring at some point. But what about the everyday need that all of us have for ministry—someone to discuss our spiritual thoughts with, to be a friend, to share our views on religion and service? Would you like to find a group that would give you a way of structuring interactions so that everyone, the quiet ones as well as the verbally quick, may be heard and made to feel a part of the whole?
Small Group Ministry is a transformational practice through which we, with others, can discover our own underlying assumptions about reality and examine our ways of being, some of which have become so habitual that they seem to us just 'the way things are'. The practice of Small Group Ministry asks us to suspend judgment long enough to hear respectfully the understandings of others, even those vastly different from our own. At the same time it can provide each of us with a closer connection to the broader church community we call BUUF.
Right now there is a small group of members working with Elizabeth to fine tune the concept of Small Group Ministry at BUUF. Stay tuned for more information in the near future. If you would like to be a member of this working group, or to find out more about what it is, please call Jay Wechselberger at 884-3791.
