BUUF News – February 2010

Contents

EverGreene

Reverend Elizabeth Greene

Big doings are happening in our little Fellowship, and YOU will want to know what they are. Elsewhere in this newsletter, you will find a longish, detailed article about the results of our consultant's (Mary Gleason) Feasibility Study. I know that we are all somewhat inclined to skip over such things—but this is one that every single friend and member should read, so that we may all work toward our common vision and strategic plans.

Most significantly are two points:

There will be no Debt Reduction Campaign this spring, in response to what people told Mary: folks are feeling that they need a breather; folks are unclear about the overall church financial picture; folks want to feel that "leadership" is strong and operating from sound practical and visionary principles.

SO: this is our opportunity to find out what is going on (note the meetings happening soon), and to join together in a joyful, annual-budget-drive only canvass this spring.

We can all work together to "get our ducks in a row" (a phrase Mary heard more than once, apparently) and pull together in genuine community, with every single one of us understanding our responsibility for the whole.

Come to meetings Find out how surprisingly fulfilling and fun it is to be a Visiting Steward. Read everything that comes to you from the church! Be a fully-committed BUUF'er!

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

The Feasibility of our Debt Reduction Campaign: Here's the plan from your Board

This month's message includes information about Mary Gleason's report as well as your BUUF Board's response.

Mary Gleason is our UUA Stewardship Consultant we brought in to assist us in planning our Annual Budget Drive (ABD) and potential Debt Reduction Campaign (DRC). Enough alphabet soup yet?

The UUA gave us a generous gift by sending Mary, at their cost, to conduct a feasibility study to measure our ability to run a successful campaign this spring (in 2010). She interviewed representative segments of our congregation (by a formula used in professional feasibility studies).

What did the people she interviewed tell her? What does it mean?

There was an initial disappointment as Mary gave us a gift of understanding that we had not expected. The larger economic picture is certainly having an impact on this congregation. We, your Board are listening to your concerns.

Mary's report told us:

• We are not ready to complete both an ABD and DRC this spring.
• She recommends that we focus 2010 on "aligning our mission and fiscal responsibility" in our ABD.
• She further suggests we concentrate on efforts in 2011 on "moving our mission forward", with completion of DRC financial commitments at that time.
• She told us that we must educate ourselves as a congregation about understanding how the Fellowship is managed fiscally and how we are aligning resources with our mission.
• Our congregation also expressed a need to understand more about Elizabeth Greene's retirement and how such transitions with a new minister are best managed.
• In response to Mary's report, your Board, the Stewardship Committee and Committee on Ministry voted to follow her recommendations.

The Plan: Here We Go:

• The Stewardship Committee will run a full Annual Budget Drive/ABD campaign this spring (2010). During this spring the Debt Reduction Drive/DRC will commence a program of education and community conversations leading to a completed Debt Reduction Campaign and financial commitments in spring 2011.
• Special attention will be directed to strengthening our fiscal situation enabling us to pay our staff according to UUA recommendations, fund our committees better, and steady our mortgage payments. (note: The Financial Committee is currently renegotiating our mortgages to strengthen our position.)
• A task force is forming to address the mechanics of Elizabeth's retirement, interim minister, and eventual calling of a new minister.

Want to know more? Our first Community Conversation will be Sunday, February 21, at 8am (a continental breakfast will be served and childcare made available.), and 12:30pm.

This will be the first of numerous opportunities to share your ideas and concerns and help the Fellowship make good decisions and plans. So,come on board and help make all of our dreams come to life.

Yours in faith and fellowship,
Judy Barker Frederick and your Board

RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION

A New Year

Emmie Schlobohm, Director of Religious Exploration

As I was thinking about this newsletter article, I realized that the program year here at BUUF is more than half over and the new year is well under way. So much joy and happy craziness passed and yet to come. January marked my first anniversary as your Director of Religious Exploration, and February marks the anniversary of the beginning of my solo flight. The adventure continues to be joyous, challenging, and a testament to the power of this community and the wonder of how we are together for our children and youth and for each other.

A new year comes with all of its promises and challenges. In my family, we will be celebrating an abundance of life's passages: a landmark wedding anniversary, high school graduation, a niece's wedding, and the beginning of the next generation. Here in our Religious Exploration program, we'll journey through the seasons with all of their events and time together. There will be ample opportunities for playing, learning, and transformation in and around our RE program.

I invite you to consider your upcoming year and all the wonders it will hold for you, your family, and your BUUF community. Follow your heart and join in on the fun and transformation that is your Religious Exploration program!

COMMITTEES

Strategic Plan 2010 Revision and Update

Miriam Woito

The strategic plan that was adopted by the congregation in May 2009 is now in the process of being updated and revised. The Integration Task force would like your input. This is a living document that helps us to keep focused on the Vision and Mission of our congregation. It is a guide to how we do business, how we prioritize our energies, and who is responsible for what. The strategic plan tracks our progress and sets goals for the future. Please review the plan on line or get a copy from me, then send your suggestions to . What you think is important. Please help us to make this document as comprehensive and inclusive as possible.

Thank you!

Are You a Thermostat Chaser?

A Green Moment from the BUUF Green Sanctuary Team

Bryan Jennings

Some people chase the thermostat up and down the temperature scale, running it way up if the room is too cold, way down if it's too hot. Thermostats, and the heaters/air conditioners they control, are most efficient if set to a single, comfortable temperature and left there. Most heating systems, whether at home, at work, or at church, do not put heat out faster if set to, say, 90 degrees; they just put it out at a constant rate until the room reaches that temperature. Then you have to open doors and windows to cool things down, wasting all the energy that was required to raise the temperature. The same applies to cooling a building in the summer.

The comfortable temperature range for most people is about 68-75 degrees F. A room that is packed with people might not need as much heat (our bodies are heat engines, after all), so learn what setting works best for the particular situation, set the thermostat, and rely on it to take care of the rest.

Will Your Troubles Vanish in a PIFF?

Bryan Jennings

We can't guarantee that, but we might be able to ease them a bit. If the current economic situation or other factors have put you in a financial bind, the BUUF Congregational Care Team can help with fast cash from the Elizabeth Greene Pay It Forward Fund, or "PIFF"! We can make one-time, confidential grants of up to $350 to get you over the hump. See the Sunday order of service for more information or contact Pam Woodies, Kristen Cheyney or Bryan Jennings.

And if you're temporarily short on groceries and the cash to buy them, please help yourself to items available in the BUUF Food Pantry, inside the coat closet in the south vestibule.

Last month's CCT newsletter article contained a trivia question regarding "Reverend Green." To date, we have had no response to that question. If you are the first to answer it correctly, see Bryan Jennings to collect your prize!

A View From The Bridge

The Bridge Event Center works to share our BUUF facility with the outside community and bring in revenue for BUUF. Our beautiful indoor and outdoor settings provide many options for those who need a site for their events. Here are some events already using our facility:

• Neighborhood Homeowner's Association Annual Meeting
• Christmas potluck dinner
• Jeremy Taylor Dream Lectures and Workshops - coming up 4/30-5/1 & again in November
• Weddings: We have approximately 6 weddings already booked for this summer!
• Graduation party
• 50th Birthday Surprise Party
• Reception for 250 people

You can help by telling your friends and associates about us if they are planning conferences, retreats, weddings, parties, or other events. Direct them to our website www.bridgeeventcenter.com for additional information or call our event phone 891-8081 to schedule a tour.

BUUF will always has "first dibs" on our space for our activities but there is still plenty of time and room available to benefit from sharing. We appreciate your help in spreading the word!

HELP WANTED: Blessed are They that Clean Up!

Who cleans up the kitchen after each Sunday Service? Some Blessed Volunteer like YOU! Would you please consider helping to clean up just one Sunday a year? Sign-up sheets are by the coffee or we will call you. Please say an enthusiastic, "Yes, I'll do my part!"

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Caps & Gloves Galore!

Besse LaBudde

With over 100 pairs of gloves or mittens and 75 caps, BUUF members have taken some of the bite from these cold days for many Whittier Elementary School students. We also found scarves and several sweaters among the caps and gloves. Fall outfits provided by Ada County agencies do not include caps or gloves so our donations meet a real need. Nurse Adde finds that the need is especially heavy this winter and wrote the following note:

To Each and Every Person as part of the Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship:

You are so gracious in your various efforts and contributions for Whittier Elementary Children. It gives me a pleasure to be a part in this connection.

~ Nurse Adelaide

Major Changes in Hygiene Kits for Whittier

Besse LaBudde

Using motel/hotel booty from our travels, we have, for several years, prepared spring hygiene kits for Whittier Elementary School students. This year there will be no toys, no books, no barettes, and you may put together an entire kit yourself! Assembling kits can be a great family project.

Consulting with Nurse Adde, we have decided to stick to the basics: soap or bath gel, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion when available. Local dollar stores stock multipacks of SOFT bristle toothbrushes and American made toothpaste...please be careful to avoid toothpaste made in China.

These items will usually fit into a quart-sized plastic zip bag as we discovered last year when a member prepared eight kits instead of donating the components. Drop completed kits in the Whittier box in the north entryway, If you prefer the "old way" just drop the components and unfilled zip bags into the box. You may examine a sample kit attached to the collection box. Our goal is to deliver the kits by mid March.

Enhancing Food Stamp Purchases at the Capital City Public Market

Rick Groff

Food Stamp benefits are electronically loaded into a benefits card that works much like a debit card. Typically, the card is processed through an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) machine in a grocery store. The machine connects to a computer, which subtracts the cost of eligible goods from the total benefit loaded into the card.

The Capital City Public Market will be obtaining an EBT machine for use this coming season. This will allow people to use food stamps for the purchase of fresh produce and other food products throughout the Market.

Individuals will exchange cash amounts from their benefits card into tokens that can be used to purchase eligible products. Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship volunteers will be making these transactions for the Market all season long from a booth at the Market. (Please be a volunteer.)

The February plate offering will be used to supplement the purchases of those using food stamps at the market. Other farmers' markets have demonstrated the beneficial effect of supplementing food stamp purchases at farmers' markets. Our volunteering and donation will support local agriculture and those using Food Stamps for purchases will benefit through increased access to fresh and healthy produce.

And a Great Time Was Had by All

Rick Groff

This year, the Social Justice Team took a different approach in celebrating the life of Martin Luther King Jr. We performed a service project rather than organizing a group to march in the Human Rights Celebration.

Early on the Martin Luther King Day, fourteen volunteers arrived at the Interfaith Sanctuary homeless shelter toting their cleaning supplies, ready to work. Some of us cleaned toilets, walls, trash containers, and refrigerators while other swept and mopped floors. As the sleeping areas were swept, personal belongings were reorganized.

Everyone had lots of energy and we worked hard. By 8:30am, we had finished the cleaning tasks the overnight manager had lined up for us. After we finished, we went outside for a picture and then met for coffee and breakfast.

We came with lots of energy and left feeling great about the tasks that we had completed.

BUUF ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Come to Our Hoedown!

Our Second Saturday Potluck and Hoedown is on for Saturday, February 13th at 6:00 at BUUF. This is an intergenerational event and everyone is invited.

Darin Keith will call the hoedown. A hoedown is a time when the farmers set their hoe down and go whoop it up. A caller tells you the steps to take, everyone dances in lines and squares and has a good time. No experience needed. Expect lots of fun and laughter.

Bring a potluck to share at 6:00. Dancing starts at 7:00. Child care will be provided.

So put your hoe down and don't miss the "funnest" event of the year!

Questions? Contact Wanda Jennings at 362-7563 or .

What Will You Wear to Our Hoedown?

Four different holidays collide
What will you wear for the ride?
It's red hearts for Valentine sweethearts,
Chinese New Year of the Tiger starts,
Mardi Gras purple, yellow, and green,
Presidents' Day patriotic colors are seen.
Can you combine holidays into one gown?
What will you wear to our Hoedown?
Second Saturday's Hoedown and potluck,
February 13th won't even cost you a buck!

Wanda Jennings

Ministry Lunches

The Committee on Ministry

As our church gets bigger and bigger, it is harder and harder to find time to just chat with our minister, Elizabeth Greene. To help remedy this lamentable circumstance, the Committee on Ministry sponsors two no-host lunches a month: first Tuesdays in the west, fourth Fridays in the east. Everyone is invited. There is no agenda—you bring your ideas, questions, sharing, or whatever, and Elizabeth is there as part of a convivial luncheon gathering. January times:

Tuesday, February 2, 11:30 am, Miss Tami's Cottage and Tea Room, 1031N. Main, Meridian

Friday, February 26, 11:30 am, URS cafeteria (previously Washington Group, even more previously Morrison-Knutson), 1750 Front; cross Broadway from eastbound Connector, enter doors behind fountain

Join us!

Sage Wild Words

Tom von Alten

On February 11, Coston Frederick will bring some of his friends to the BUUF Senior Sages for show and tell: "Words, Words, Words." Prepare to be surprised by words you've been taking for granted. On February 25, Liz Littman from Zoo Boise will be our guest, telling us about the Zoo's conservation programs. Contact Tom von Alten (378-1217 or ) for more information, or just show up! No reservation needed.

We meet 2nd and 4th Thursdays, at the Kopper Kitchen, 2661 Airport Way, for friendly conversation, interesting presentations, and a no-host breakfast.

Speaking of Spong

Adult Study and Discussion Group – Second Sundays 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. Currently, he is writing about the Pauline letters. 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. If you would like to receive his online newsletter or have questions, please contact Miriam Woito at .

Humanist Waters Flow Deep

Jeanette Ross

We had planned to forego a formal presentation and instead allow conversation to take its own course. Then two visitors to our informal group encouraged us to take turns introducing ourselves. These wellsprings from many sources then bounced around the table. What to do when one's family of origin has very different notions of faith, the importance of settled versus constantly evolving beliefs? Where do we each tie our little boat on the great body of the Unknowable? Anchors would feel safer, but..

Difficult questions were cushioned by mutual acceptance, and I was thinking of a metaphor, of sands of compassion smoothing the waters in life's bumpy path.

We meet again February 21, 11am in the BUUF library. Xan Barrett will introduce some thoughts of what we learn from each other, from writer Ken Wilbur. Join us and explore the provocative phrase, "orienting generalities." Questions? Ask Jeanette or ask Rick Groff to put you on our email list.

BUUF Music Notes

Carrie Bastian

Early Birds Get the Choir!

Do you enjoy hearing the choir sing on Sunday mornings? Your golden opportunity to experience choral music is at 9am on February 7 and March 7. The recent move to two services each week has stretched our choir's personnel resources. After much consideration, the music committee decided that for the next two months, the choir will perform at the 9am service only, with recorded music at 11:00. We hope to see you at the early service!

After a winter break, the BUUF choir is back to regular rehearsals on Wednesday evenings at 7:15 pm. Join us and make singing a joyous part of your spiritual practice. If you are new to BUUF or missed the opportunity to participate in our Fall music survey, you can now find the music survey on our website Your input is most welcome.

Partner Church News: The Pansy Connection

Gwyn Reid

Many members and friends of BUUF are aware of the annual Mother's Day pansy ceremony, initiated by the late Ethel Hopper in the 1950s where the children of our Fellowship give a pansy to all the women of the congregation. When Reverend Balint of our partner church in Mészkõ, spoke to our congregation last November, we learned that the Mészkõ congregation also has a legacy involving the pansy. Reverend Balint read a story written by the late Reverend Balazs Ferenc who served the Mészkõ congregation in the 1930s. The story starts with a simple question from a pansy to the sun, "Do you still love me?"

Every year as our partnership grows, we learn of new connections that help to strengthen our bond with Mészkõ. It will be interesting to see what the new year has in store for connections. Four travelers are finalizing plans for a July trip to Mészkõ. If you are interested in traveling to Mészkõ or learning more about the trip, contact Mary Schwartzman, or visit our website page about the Pilgrimage.

The next partner church committee meeting is scheduled at BUUF for Monday, February 1 at 5:45 pm.

The Other Book Club

Mark your calendars for the following book club discussion. February 14 we will be discussing Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie. We will be meeting at the home of Carol Wilke, 5186 E. Trail Wind Dr. Boise. Her phone number is 761-1769 for more information.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett is our March 14 book, location to be announced. Our April book will be the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. We will read Half the Sky once it is available in paperback.

Happy Reading.

Be a fan of BUUF on Facebook

Are you on Facebook? The Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship now has its own page on the popular social networking site, and more than three dozen people joined in its first 72 hours!

Facebook is another way to reach people who are already members and friends, as well as others who might be curious about the fellowship and Unitarian Universalism. We'll be using it to post reminders of Sunday services and major events at BUUF, as well as photos of fellowship activities and links to interesting news from our wider denomination.

If you are already on Facebook, you can jump to BUUF's page, and click the "Become a fan" button.

If you're not yet on Facebook, you can join for free by going to www.facebook.com and filling out the short form.

Save the Date

Members and Friends are invited to the second annual Gala to celebrate our community and on March 20 kick off BUUF's Annual Budget Drive. Invitations are in the mail and we'll need RSVP responses back by February 23. Being hUUman will play and there will be general merriment for all, including activities for the children.

If you didn't receive an invitation, please contact Nancy Harms at 658-1710.

Second Saturday Fellowship Fun Night

I have openings for individuals or groups who would like to sponsor a fun night in April or May 2010. We are also looking for a chair for the Festivities Committee. Please contact Miriam Woito at for more information.

WIDER COMMUNITY

Occupation 101

Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East

A thought-provoking and powerful, award-winning documentary film on the current and historical root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Unlike any other film ever produced on the conflict, 'Occupation 101' presents a comprehensive analysis of the facts and hidden truths surrounding the never ending controversy and dispels many of its long-perceived myths and misconceptions.

Saturday February 27, 2-4pm Jr Hi Room, BUUF

Discussion following with Dorgham Abusalim

PNWD District Assembly

An Invaluable Resource for You and Your Congregation

February 19-21, 2010 – Hilton Hotel, Bellevue, WA

Come to the annual gathering of UUs from throughout the Northwest. Be educated and inspired to walk out into the world shining the message that our lives matter and our actions make a difference!

• See and hear Grammy award-winning entertainer Bill Harley
• Meet Rev. Peter Morales, the new UUA President
• Meet with hundreds of other Northwest UUs
• Share knowledge, experience, and resources
• Learn new skills and expand your understanding of UUism at stimulating workshops
• Be a delegate and participate in making district decisions at PNWD Annual Meeting

Above all have fun learning, laughing, and worshiping with new UU friends. For more details and on-line registration, visit the Pacific Northwest District website.

Celebrate Human Rights

Jeanette Ross

Friday, March 5 a prominent advocate for the rights of the disabled, Evelyn Mason, will be honored at the annual Human Rights Celebration of Church Women United. The program, at Southminster Presbyterian Church of Boise, begins with a brunch at 9am, program at 10am. Ms. Mason will speak about efforts to protect the rights and honor the talents of Idaho's disabled.

Questions? Ask the group's planning chair, Jeanette Ross, at 378-1217.

Dedicating Our Statehouse, Dedicating Ourselves

Jeanette Ross

Paul Rolig (president of Humanists of Idaho and longtime part of BUUF HUUmanist group) and I were two of twelve representatives of Boise religious and ethical communities at a special prayer/dedication ceremony for our newly rebuilt Statehouse.

I spoke as a Unitarian Universalist when I said, "Good governance, like worthy religious practice, is hard work. All of us, citizens, new residents and decision-makers, come together here to act upon our highest aspirations. Those who represent us need to hear from all their constituents, which works best if we who are governed by Idaho law speak to them and each other, thoughtfully and at length—respectfully and truthfully. It's a shared commitment. If we participate as we should, then this becomes the one place where we can most agree.

We Unitarian Universalists are a mixed bunch. Our private beliefs differ. Our faith in the human capacity to do good and do right is qualified by shared history and personal experiences. What we can bring to this place is confidence based on what has been accomplished and our commitment- to our constitution, our shared ideals, our traditions, including those of all cultures and needs, who bring us their hopes and aspirations. Together we can create what Martin Luther King called "Beloved Community," where we agree to work for the long-term good of all, compromise along the way, support the neediest among us, and hold each other accountable.