BUUF News – October 2009

Contents

EverGreene

Consultant, consultant, who's got the consultant?!

This year, our Board has contracted a Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) consultant named Mary Gleason. We need her for our watershed spring capital and operating campaign. (Aren't you looking forward to getting rid of some of that big debt we have, springing into exciting programming, significant social justice outreach, brimming with vibrancy in the community?!)

Several of us from leadership did a phone interview with Mary, and we asked her how she felt about coming into a congregation that is feeling some stress about finance, and is also feeling ambivalence about the whole idea of consulting. She is unfazed by the challenge, and proposes that, in her first weekend with us (Oct. 30-Nov. 1), there be time for anyone who wishes, just to spend time with her, asking anything and everything they want. Her openness and accessibility made us smile.

Because we are a Fair Share Congregation, we get a good deal from the UUA's Congregational Stewardship Services department, for whom UUA consultants work. Consultant cost for a campaign like ours almost always ends us costing 2-5% of the total "take," far less than the 10% or more often found in the outside consulting world.

Stay tuned for more, and get that Saturday, Oct. 31 on your calendars (boo!).

And don't forget our theme for this year: Living Community, in all that we do, spiritual, emotional, organizational, financial; Living Community, as we make love and justice more likely.

President's Message

Allie Gooding, Vice-President

Life can be like navigating through whitewater. The water maybe deep, the flow swift, the riverbed filled with obstacles. Safely navigating these waters demands intense concentration with rapid and sometimes reflexive decisions to avoid catastrophe; its exhausting to be in the water. From the river bank, the observer has a different perspective and wonders what possessed this person to take a particular course of action.

As the person with a vantage point on the shore, it may be less important to be right (about a particular decision/perspective) and more important to be in right relations with this person. In an attempt to understand the river from the other person's perspective, we need to create a safe environment, listen intently to their perspective, and converse in a genuine, non-judgmental manner. There is much to be learned from the other perspective; the encounter helps us to be in right relations with each other.

Congregational life can be like navigating through whitewater. Conversing face-to-face and seeking clarification on issues helps us to be in right relations with each other. Choosing to communicate a perspective by electronic media may be communicating a perspective of being "right". But in the process the non-verbal feedback, the response of the other to our words, and an opportunity to understand another perspective is lost.

Our challenge is to choose ways that not only communicate our perspective, but also keep us in "right relations" with each other.

From Judy Frederick

Here we are at another exciting time of change as we begin our program year. The board has been utilizing its creative spirit to problem solve leadership challenges following the resignation of Dale Winke as he took a job on the east coast and will not be serving as the board president for the 2009-10 cycle. Allie Gooding stepped in to lead the August and September board meetings, and handle the day to day workings of the board. If the congregation votes me in, I will be serving as the board chair for the coming year.

I am as surprised to be serving as the board chair. I have served twice before about ten years ago, have been on the current board for a little over a year this round, and was recruited by other board members who convinced me that it would be a good fit at this time. Oh, surprises! I love that old Chinese curse, "May you live a long and boring life." Well I like the long part, but the boring part will not be applying.

I am excited about the possibilities ahead of us this year. While I do have deep roots here, I also realized there were lots of new faces I did not know. So, I volunteered to serve on the board. We come to know one another best by working side by side, and indeed, I have discovered new friends behind those new faces. I invite to you to join in getting to know one another better. It is a grand endeavor. Together we can do great things. My first President's Message will appear in the November newsletter.

Religious Exploration

Musings from our Wondrous Wings

Emmie Schlobohm, Director of Religious Exploration (DRE)

Our program year is well under way with much love and energy filling our wondrous religious exploration wings. Opportunities abound for connections with our beloved community of all ages. I believe it is time for us to join together to strengthen our ties, deepen our connections, and fill our hearts with wonder, awe and love. "How can we do this?" you ask. Well, have I got a deal for you! You can share your gifts of time, energy and wisdom in a religious exploration classroom or at a religious exploration event. You'll be amazed what you get back. Our young spiritual guides have amazing and wondrous places to take you and things to teach you! All you have to do is be present and open to the possibilities…

May we be reminded here or our highest aspirations, and inspired to bring our gifts of love and service to the altar of humanity.

May we know once again that we are not isolated beings, but connected, in mystery and miracle, to the universe, to this community and to each other.
– anonymous

Children's Dedication

Our children are an essential and life-affirming part of our congregation. Unitarian Universalists believe that each child brings new life and hope into the world and we, here at the Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, include a special ceremony to dedicate children during a Sunday service. If you would like to have your child(ren) dedicated please note that October 11 is the next scheduled date. The Rev. Elizabeth Greene will be performing the dedication. For more information, or to indicate your interest, please contact Emmie Schlobohm, Director of Religious Exploration at 658-1710 ASAP!

Chalice Lighters Needed

Every Sunday morning, children from our beloved community are a part of our worship tradition. A big part of that involvement is to be a Chalice Lighter. Our Chalice Lighters are 5 years old or older and registered in our religious exploration program. The sign-up sheet can be found on the religious exploration table in the north vestibule. One of our Worship Service Coordinators will contact those on the list to schedule a chalice lighting date. Please make sure you let us know if you have a special Sunday in mind. First time chalice lighters are recognized and introduced to the congregation on Sundays when Elizabeth and Emmie are here in the fellowship. Questions? Please contact Emmie Schlobohm, your Director of Religious Exploration at 658-1710.

News from your Children's Religious Exploration Program

With our program year launched, here are some things to keep in mind...

Our classrooms are filled with amazing learning and exploring every Sunday morning! Please sign up to assist our outstanding classroom guides as often as you'd like to experience the wonder that is going on.

Flu season is fast approaching. Please be aware of some simple preventative steps we will all be taking in the RE classrooms to keep our community healthy: all classroom surfaces will be disinfected before class; children will wash their hands upon entering the classroom and before snack; all classroom surfaces will be disinfected after class. If your child has any of the classic flu-like symptoms, please keep them home and we will welcome them with open arms when they're symptom-free and feeling better. For more info, please contact Emmie Schlobohm at 658-1710.

The 2009-2010 Religious Exploration Program Prospectus is now available for your edification and reading pleasure! Come pick up a copy and find out all there is to know about our programs for children and youth.

Boston Bound and Back Again

Our Junior High youth once again journeyed to Boston this past summer on their semi-annual pilgrimage. Come hear from this crop of Boston Bounders about their adventures in Beantown and beyond at the Sunday, October 25 service.

Gratitude & Blessings to Our Summer Religious Exploration Coordinators & Guides

Summer may be over, but it's not forgotten. This past summer we were privileged to have an amazing group of people guiding, inspiring, and journeying together with our younger community. I'd like to express my deep gratitude and appreciation to the following people:

Ann Sabin – Summer RE Coordinator and Guide, Kindergarten through grade 6

Mary Stell – Summer RE Coordinator and Guide, Preschool

Jill Palmer – Summer RE Coordinator and Guide, Preschool

Classroom Guides:

Bryan Jennings

Wanda Jennings

Ellen Morfit

Cameron Morfit

Warren Bean

Shelia Dengler-Shaw

Kim Gattiker

Diane Schwabe

Coston Frederick

Iris Grisard-Prisament

Jane Rohling

Sue Philley

Julie Fanselow

Jeanette Ross

With love and honor to you all,
Emmie Schlobohm, DRE

COMMITTEES

The CCT is coming!

And that's not the Chattanooga Choo-choo Train! October 4th will be CCT Sunday at BUUF, sponsored by your Congregational Care Team and introducing our CCT program for the coming year. First up is the Pay It Forward Fund (PIFF), October's social outreach designee. More details on PIFF and creamed corn can be found in the separate "Outreach" article in this newsletter.

Next, CCT is looking for a transportation coordinator to arrange rides to Sunday services for those who can't provide their own. If you're interested in this job, look for Kristen Cheyney in her "car hat."

We would like to remind everyone about our BUUF Food Pantry, just inside the closet off the south vestibule. You are welcome to give what you can or take what you need.

The Congregational Care Team's annual Life Skills Training session is scheduled for Saturday, November 7. Page 6 has all the details. For more information see the people in purple shirts on CCT Sunday, October 4.

Finally, the CCT is saying good-bye to Barry Hope, who has been a faithful and hardworking member of our team for many years. Barry has to leave due to other obligations, but his contributions are appreciated by all, and he will be missed.

BUUF Music Notes

Carrie Bastian

"Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand." So says Stevie Wonder; so say I. This October, there will a special focus on what's happening musically at BUUF. Please come see the music table at the Fall into Community event on October 4. You'll find information on choir and music committee participation. There will also be a survey coming your way. Our fellowship has grown significantly since I began at BUUF. We need to pause and take our musical pulse; see what we are doing well, what we can improve and how we can include more members and friends in creating the music that supports and nurtures our faith. On October 18, we will have a special Sunday service dedicated to music. I'll relate my musical journey, discuss the human musical impulse and how we can create community through music. In the mean time, consider Stevie's continued musical assertion: "You can feel it all over. You can feel it all over, people!"

Bonding Opportunity!

Join fellow BUUFers at a Landscape Work Party on Saturday, Oct 24, from 9 'til noon. We'll be putting the finishing touches on preparing our lovely grounds for the winter months. You don't have to be an expert gardener, just one who enjoys working with plants & being with other folks. If you have favorite work gloves, bring them with you. We'll finish work at noon & then indulge in a loverly lunch catered by Chez Bon Fête. It's the perfect way to spend a glorious autumn morning. (Do we dare mention that it's just another amazing opportunity from the Landscape Committee?)

Silent Auction News

• A gift you bought for someone, but changed your mind
• Some jam or jelly or other fruit or vegetable you preserved
• You make a special muffin, waffle or other home baked item
• A special soup or bean recipe you would make extra of
• You can do some child watching or other "mother's helper"chore
• You would grocery shop with someone's list and money
• You make jewelry

These are some of the kinds of items that would be good donations for the new-this-year Silent Auction. Certificates for services or new and gently used items with a value of $5 or greater will be accepted. Donation forms are on the clipboard in the north vestibule

Help is needed. Sign up on the form on the clipboard in the north vestibule.

Any questions? Contact Claudia Fernsworth at 853-1526.

Roy Montague + Friends = Most Excellent Kiosks

BUUF now has two magnificent informative/interpretive kiosks located at the far end of our two parking lots. Roy made both kiosks and enlisted the aid of Frank Shuff, Bill Hall & John Jacobsen for their installation. The kiosks now provide us with signage advising folks that unauthorized use of our grounds is prohibited, important for police to enforce 'no trespassing', a very un-UU position in which we find ourselves. (Sadly, we have had people misusing our landscape) However, the new kiosks and signage also allow us to announce to the world that we are officially a designated World Wildlife Foundation Backyard Habitat, thanks to the efforts of Barb Alexander. The Landscape Committee anticipates more opportunities to acknowledge the unique & interesting features of our grounds with the new kiosks.

Poinsettia Order Time!!!!!!!! (Really.......)

It may sound a bit premature, but it is indeed poinsettia order time. We get our high quality poinsettias from Edwards Greenhouse—a local business that uses geothermal heat for their poinsettia greenhouses. We are glad to be able to support a business that has a lower carbon footprint. Please consider supporting BUUF and this local business with your order of these high quality plants. Order deadline is Sunday October 25 at 1pm. Poinsettias will be delivered to BUUF the first weekend in December, at the Deck the Halls service (December 4).

Download, print, and fill out a Poinsettia order form, and get your order in!

Working on the Sixth Principle

Opportunities to Volunteer

The Sixth Principle we affirm and promote: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all. Now is your chance to bring into reality that affirmation. Select one or more of the following opportunities to help create a better community.

Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers for building and/or preparing food on Saturday, October 10 or Saturday, October 17. Contact Bryan and Wanda Jennings-362-7563

Crop Walk Oct. 18 - Sign up to walk or support the BUUF team with a donation. Pledge envelopes will be available after church services during October or donate online at www.cropwalkonline.org.

Whittier School Foodbank Backpack Program needs help in transferring food from the foodbank to the school. Contact Sheila Ames-629-0321

Guest at Our Table needs a volunteer to manage the program this fall. Contact Nancy Rice 484-4303

Rake up Boise needs a coordinator and volunteer teams to rake the yards of Boise seniors and disabled on November 14. Contact Julie Fanselow – 375-3157 or Nancy Rice – 484-4303 for information.

Partner Church Festival on November 7 needs volunteers. Contact Gwyn Reid 336-1536

This is your chance to practice your principles. Please call. We need your help.

SOCIAL ACTION

Social Justice Council

The next meeting of the Social Justice Council is on October 5 at 6:30pm. Please mark it on your calendar. We need your participation!

Social Justice Outreach

Kristen Cheyney

Twenty-five percent of the non-designated plate offering and 100% of checks that are marked "outreach" in the memo field will go to our own Elizabeth Greene Pay it Forward Fund. We will be having our second annual "Creamed Corn" fund drive. The story of the creamed corn is a family story that demonstrates how a small offering can come back multiplied many times. Last year we raised nearly $3,000 and this fund helped in many ways.

To all those who contributed last year I pass on a big THANK YOU from all of the recipients. Here is a small excerpt from one letter of thanks:

"I would like to... give testimony to the amazing people that make up BUUF. To be part of a group of people with such open hearts, open minds, and accepting spirits is an honor for our family... Two weeks ago my family went through a crisis. First, my husband lost his job... The next day we received a letter stating that ... within 5 days our family would be evicted. My husband and I were both moved to tears by all the support and unconditional love we felt from this church. Because of you we were able to save our home, and, my husband was offered a new job! We can never express the amount of appreciation and gratitude we feel for all those who helped us."

Write outreach in the memo of your check and 100% will go to the fund.

BUUF Fights Hunger at Whittier School

Besse LaBudde

The Idaho Foodbank's special backpack program to provide weekend meals for hungry students has just been extended to include five students at Whittier Elementary School. Last spring the Social Action Council learned about the program's benefits and costs from a Foodbank employee and the Hunger Task Force took the opportunity to heart.

For $250 per student per year a backpack of food is taken home on Friday afternoons. A quart of shelf stable milk, two cereal packets, small cans of stew and beanie weenie, and two microwaveable dinners supply meals for the weekend. Volunteers are needed to pick up three or four weeks' supply of the food bags at the Foodbank on Thursday or Friday mornings. Contact Sheila Ames ( ) if you wish to participate in this aspect of the project.

To begin this project, five members of the Social Action Committee donated their Social Security Federal Stimulus checks or an equivalent $250 earmarked for Whittier. In the spring, one of our monthly offering donations will go toward this program. Since 90% of the students attending Whittier School qualify for two free meals per day at school, this is just a beginning.

Volunteer to Help the Children at Sanctuary

Volunteer opportunities are many at Interfaith Sanctuary. In the past months the number of families needing shelter has increased significantly. Because of this, there are many children from newborn to teenager that need your attention.

The Sanctuary opens at 6:00 pm each evening and the children begin arriving. If you enjoy working with children, please contact us. It could be as simple as reading or playing a game. Just giving them the attention they need and being a healthy role model for the parents is all that is required.

If you are interested, please contact Rick Groff ( ) or Nancy Rice ( ).

CROP Hunger Walk – a chance to help those in need!

Our UU values inspire us to support our fellow human beings, whether they are part of our church or the world at large. Ensuring that people have enough food to eat is one of the most basic of these needs.

High fuel prices, lost jobs and overall economic uncertainty have put a strain on peoples' budgets. Over 52,000 Idaho children go to bed hungry each night, over 42,000 Idaho families are food insecure (unsure they have enough money to buy food), many families forced to choose between buying food and rent, heat or medical care. Demands for food assistance increases yearly.

The CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Hunger Walk funds programs around the world, providing people with food, training, and assistance to help eradicate poverty. Walkers join forces and solicit pledges to support these worthy causes. Donors may designate their contribution to the UUSC or other hunger-fighting agencies. 25% of the proceeds will be donated to the Idaho Foodbank to help fight hunger in our own community.

There are several ways to help:

1) Sign up to walk -- pledge envelopes will be available after church services during October

2) Support the BUUF team with a donation (or donate on-line at www.cropwalkonline.org).

Please help us help those in need!

Habitat for Humanity Build in October

Your help is needed as BUUF helps the Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity to build a home on Saturday, October 10, and again on Saturday, October 17. No experience is necessary. We also need someone to provide lunch for 25 people (our own volunteers and others) on both dates. Could you call around and get food donations from your BUUF friends and supervise the preparation?

To reserve your space please contact Wanda Jennings @ 362-7563 or .

Voices from the Shelter

Experiences of volunteers at Interfaith Sanctuary

Nancy Rice

Talking a mile a minute in his Georgian drawl, Red explained in minute details the southeastern railway system. He sat across the desk from me, bandanna around his neck, two cowboy hats on his head, with a full head of red hair and a bushy beard. After his lecture on the southern railway, Red had me look up specific railways on line and sure enough, every fact he'd quoted was true.

Red is heading back to Georgia this week via Greyhound, not the train which had started this conversation. It seems sometimes that his head is bursting with facts. So many, he can't keep them all inside. Intense and good natured, he is truly a self-educated man. He was a "PKU baby" and going undetected by the doctor, he "lost some brain cells" which prevented this intelligent and articulate man from going further in school than 8th grade. But he loves to learn and loves to share.

He wanted to be an engineer and spend his life operating the trains he loves. Instead he worked as janitor and lived with his parents until their death 10 years ago. Now he is homeless. I'm hoping during that trip to Georgia he will see the trains he loves so much.

If you would like to volunteer with us at the Interfaith Shelter, please contact Rick Groff at or Nancy Rice at .

BUUF ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Partner Church News

Gwyn Reid

Charlotte Tompkins opened our Partner Church meeting with an excerpt from a John Ciardi poem:

Most like an arch two weaknesses that lean
Into a strength—two fallings become firm.
Two joined abeyances become a term
Naming the fact that teaches the fact to mean.

Our Fellowship's partnership with the congregation in Mészkõ, Transylvania is sometimes like that. Its strength comes in our "coming together." This fall we have a wonderful opportunity to witness this coming together. The Minister of our partner church, Robert Balint, will visit Boise the weekend of November 7/8. Robert is the Ferenc Balazs scholar at Starr King School for the Ministry this year. He and his family (wife Reka and children Dalma and Matyas) arrived in Berkeley in August. They are settling in and the children love being "here."

To celebrate Robert's visit, we will be having a Fesztival Banquet at the fellowship on Saturday evening, November 7 (Tickets will be on sale between and after services, PLUS there will be lots of opportunities to volunteer for this wonderful evening). Robert will be speaking at church on Sunday, November 8, and there will be other opportunities on Sunday to get to know him.

Next summer's partner church trip to Mészkõ is firming up. We have three confirmed travelers. If you want to be part of the trip, please contact Cynthia Alleman or Mary Schwartzman. Our next meeting is 6pm, Monday, October 5.

October's Hungarian word: paradicsom (tomato).

Introducing the Green Challenge of the Month

Each month this year we will be presenting you with a green challenge. So please watch for them and use them to jog your thoughts on how to preserve the environment.

For October, we challenge you to reduce carbon emissions in the kitchen. The majority of household waste happens in the kitchen. The Green Sanctuary Team challenges you this month to: compost food scraps rather than running them down the disposal, run only full loads of dishes to save water, drink tap and not bottled water, use reusable bags, recycle all you can, clean refrigerator coils, defrost regularly, and keep the top of the frig uncluttered. Next month, the living room.

Green Fact: Washington State's recycling efforts for 2005 reduced greenhouse gas emissions by almost 3.2 million tons or over 1000 pounds per person. This is equivalent to removing 2.5 million cars from the roadway each year (that is over half the cars in Washington). The information in this challenge comes from the City of Bellevue's Smaller Footprint pledge.

Humanists are UU too

Jeanette Ross

BUUF humanists are not only a community outreach program; we are also sponsored by BUUF (you share your space once a month) and a longtime part of the UUA. This year we have changed our meeting time to the third Sunday of each month, 11am, in the library. Our next program is October 18, when Xan Barrett will introduce a discussion with her response to Gore Vidal's book, Monotheism and its Discontents.

For those who missed our service August 16, I'm sharing two short versions of our philosophy. The first came from BUUF member Chuck Hansen as we were organizing this group in 2003. Chuck said, "We are responsible for creating and maintaining the world we want."

Karen Armstrong expressed our relationship toward the world's many religions, including those coming from Europe and west Asia. She said, "All religions are profoundly related, part of a human quest for meaning... Live by compassion and you will find joy, purpose, enlargement of heart. If we examine our own heart and then live by the golden rule we can transcend ourselves and thus get glimpses of transcendent reality. Wonderment and transcendence are quite natural to us, not at all supernatural, as Buddhists tell us. Belief in a personal god is not necessary or sufficient; for me it does not work."

(Karen Armstrong, interviewed by Terry Gross on Fresh Air, March 2004. And you can listen to the August 16 presentation via our audio sermon archive.)

New UU Class Offered This Month

Would you like to learn more about Unitarian Universalism? Are you thinking about becoming a member of BUUF? Then the New UU class is for you! This class will offer you the opportunity to meet other newcomers, church leaders, and members. It will provide you with some history, and give you a glimpse into the inner workings of the Unitarian Universalist Association and of BUUF in particular. It will also reveal the many ways you might become involved in the life of this community.

The New UU is the first step toward membership required in the Path to Membership approved by the board. But, even if you don't plan to join right away, the class is fun and informative.

This time around, the class will be offered on two successive Saturdays: October 24 and October 31, 2009 from 9:30 am until about 2:00 pm. For more information you can contact Membership chair, Jay Wechselberger, at 871-3765 or .

The 4-C'ers

The Nampa, Caldwell, and points south, north, and west Group is going strong. Our Chalice Circle, the 4C'ers,( Foreseers) are committed to meeting on the first and third Sundays of the month at 3:00PM. We also have the West Treasure Valley UUs with a vision of a satellite congregation in the western part of the state, with monthly meetings starting soon. We are always looking for ways to build community and welcome newcomers. Heck, we'll even welcome folks who come from Boise to brave the wilds of Canyon County. Call Sharon Barlow Palm, 463-9983, for information.

October Sages

Tom von Alten

Join the Sages on Thursday, October 8 for a tour of "Old Spain" from Don Clarke's remarkable collection of photographs and memories. The BUUF Senior Sages meet at 9:30am on 2nd and 4th Thursdays at the Kopper Kitchen (2661 Airport Way) for a no-host breakfast and lively discussions. All are welcome; no reservation needed.

For our second date of the month, October 22, the tea leaves have not settled on newsletter deadline day, but stay tuned to the weekly announcements at church, or, contact Tom von Alten (378-1217 or ) to be added to our update list (or if you know what's coming on the 4th Thursday of October).

BUUF Classicists

Lorel Case

All readers are cordially invited to join BUUF Classicists in a spirited discussion of For Whom the Bell Tolls on December 3. Call Lorel Case for more information.

Quilting for the BUUF Auction

The BUUF Q-UU-ilters welcome you to join us in making a quilt for the auction. It's a beauty — you'll want to be part of it. Contact Harriet Shaklee, , 371-3634 for more information.

New Adult Study and Discussion Group

October 11, 11:00-12:15 in the Library

Each week John Shelby Spong, an Episcopalian Bishop, writes an online article challenging his readers to think about religious, spiritual, political, and social issues in the context of our current culture. He is a controversial liberal Christian who has authored many books challenging traditional religious ideas and practices. His ideas and philosophy align well with UU viewpoints. All are welcome to attend the discussion class, read the previous months articles before class and bring a discussion question. The class will meet every second Sunday during the 11:00 service in the Library. A few copies of the articles for class will be available at BUUF in the north vestibule. If you would like to receive his on line newsletter or have questions, please contact Miriam Woito at .

Second Saturday, Fellowship Fun Night - October 10

Mark your calendars. Every second Saturday from 6 – 9 PM, October – May there will be a Fellowship Fun Night sponsored by the Festivities Committee. Everyone is invited to a potluck dinner followed by entertainment and fun. If you can, come at 5:30 to help set up and we will all do the clean up at the end of the evening. On October 10 we will enjoy a meal, and a choice between a movie or games in the game room. The movie will be Horton Hears a Who... do you believe in what you can't see? Bring your favorite board games as well. If you have questions or ideas for future Fun Nights, please contact Miriam Woito at or 338-9281.

Women on the Verge

Yes, ladies, originally it was "on the verge of insanity" and some groups that formed at BUUF more than 10 years ago are still going strong! Those interested in forming a new group are invited to meet at BUUF from 7-9 pm on Monday, Oct 12 to get acquainted, discuss their interests, decide where to meet (homes or BUUF or elsewhere), what to do (meet, talk, take turns presenting something the presenter wants to share information, talent, hobby, interest; go to movies, plays or other activities). The group is self-led support group and usually closes at some point to new members. It continues until it "dies" and new groups are created as interest is expressed. Interested? Plan to attend? Questions? Call Sue at 340-9450 or email .

Free to Good Homes

There is old, dried lumber (mostly pine) between the compost bins & the north parking lot that just might be the perfect wood for fireplaces when cut up. Please feel free to take what you'd like EXCEPT the metal poles & shade fabric. Another stellar opportunity from the Landscape Committee.

Book Nook Returns

The Book Nook is back! BUUF's very own Book Nook, filled with books for children and adults, all UU inspired and oriented to UU principles and themes, will open for the program year on Sunday, October 4. You will find tales from around the world, meditations, poetry, history, religion, and personal accounts of trouble and triumph, all from UU points of view.

There are new selections, old favorites, and a range of children's books hard to find elsewhere. You can buy all these books without having to order sight unseen and without having to pay shipping costs, and many of the children's books are sold for less than the retail price! The Book Nook is a great place to meet people, browse books, get bargains, renew oneself and find birthday and Christmas gifts. Come and see what we have at the Book Nook. Find us at the back of the Sanctuary, near the Nursery window.