BUUF News – April 2010

Contents

EverGreene

Reverend Elizabeth Greene

I've always thought that e. e. cummings had a special appreciation of spring's spirit:

i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes
(i who have died am alive again today...

There's still a little frost around, reminding us that winter is part of life. And there is also the sneaky early greenness of the willows. There are the forsythia buds wafting light yellow to us, promising that week of thundering brightness.

The little birds outside our house are chirping like mad, flying about purposefully, preparing to make homes and new life. In the grove behind the church the other day, I saw a flicker party, four of the big birds chortling their ways up and down the trunks of a couple of trees.

Let us embody the generosity of spring!

Toward each other, may our hearts be open and soft and understanding, and may we forgive ourselves and each other our trespasses. In our church, may we welcome our friends, the visiting stewards, promising what we can of our time, talent and money. And may we look outward to the world, doing what we can to contribute to spring in the lives of those who may still be in winter.

Happy Easter. Blessed Equinox. Merry Passover. Happy Holi.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

How Many Ways To Say Community?

Judy Barker Frederick

Well, you all asked, and we are listening. A major area of focus this year is communication. I am impressed at how creative our community is and how amazing it is to watch and be part of the conversations.

First: Bulletin Boards! Big plans for the North vestibule, beginning with reconfiguring it. Erin Logan, Jay Wechselberger, Nancy Harms, and myself met and developed a plan.

• We will be installing shelves beneath the name tag area, clearing out the card table that has been there.
• Relocating a table (hopefully NOT a card table) for displays to the area in front of the glass door leading out to the inner courtyard (That door
• Benches will be removed, opening up the wall space for two boards. One permanently for Social Action, the other rotating between committees, beginning with Religious Exploration.
• Improved literature racks.

Second: Community Conversations: These are already in progress with the third to be April 11th at both 8am. and 12:30pm. This month's focus will be Stewardship, but come with any and all concerns. There will always be a board member present to answer questions.

Third: Back of the Calendar. When you get your newsletter, flip over the calendar and see what is on THAT bulletin board.

Fourth: Internet Info. Visit our Facebook page and hey! you're already here at boiseuu.org.

Come join the conversation(s).

RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION

With Gratitude and Love

Emmie Schlobohm, Director of Religious Exploration

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us."
~ Albert Schweitzer

This month, I would like to dedicate my usual newsletter space to all the volunteers in our Religious Exploration program. Thank you to all the RE Committee members, parents, grandparents, and guardians who work tirelessly or step in and help on the spur of the moment in a classroom or on a project – you all make this program miraculous and magical and my life is richer because of your time and energy and care. You light the flame within me and our children and youth every week! With love and gratitude, I thank you from the depths of my heart.

Summer RE Coordinator Needed

Summer brings a different look to Religious Exploration for children currently in preschool through sixth grade. Starting June 13, children in kindergarten through sixth grade will meet together and explore the world around them, while the preschoolers will enjoy their own special program. The Religious Exploration program is looking for two individuals to coordinate these two important programs. The coordinators' primary responsibilities include scheduling and confirming volunteers, obtaining necessary class supplies and facilitating the in-class chalice lighting and opening ritual for each Sunday during the summer. If you are interested in learning more about these paid positions, please contact Emmie Schlobohm, Director of Religious Exploration, at 658-1710 by May 2.

...Where Children are Wise and Adults Can Play

Our young people are a miraculous bunch! They bring smiles, laughter, and joy to us all every week. If you haven't spent time in one of our Religious Exploration classrooms, you're truly missing out on a whole lot of fun, wonder and awe. Your RE program is looking for teams of guides and advisors to lead and follow our youth through next year's explorations, discoveries and transformations. If you would like to join in on the phenomenon that is RE, please contact Emmie Schlobohm, Director of Religious Exploration at 658-1710 to find out more about teaching in our classrooms - nursery through high school.

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 BUUF, include a special ceremony to dedicate children during a Sunday service. If you would like to have your child(ren) dedicated, please note that April 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!

COMMITTEES

Community Conversations – Join the Dialogue

The BUUF Board is sponsoring monthly "Community Conversations," conducted one Sunday a month, before the 9:00 service (8–8:45 am) and after the 11:00 service 12:30–1:15 pm). These informal gatherings are opportunities to:

• Meet others.
• Learn about BUUF's inner workings.
• Listen deeply.
• Ask questions.
• Share your ideas and concerns.

Subjects that have been discussed during the first two months include:

- Information about the upcoming Annual Budget Drive and the Debt Reduction Campaign that will be conducted next Spring;

- The difference between a pastoral and a program church;

- BUUF's organization chart and the Program Ministry Council;

- The various ways we communicate with and among our congregants.

As you can see, these meetings are an ongoing effort to inform BUUF members and friends about near- and long-term issues and upcoming events.

Upcoming Community Conversations are scheduled for April 11 and May 2. On April 11, members of the Stewardship Committee will be speaking about why stewardship is essential to maintaining a healthy church community and to update us on the Annual Budget Drive.

Snacks and childcare are available at each meeting. If you need childcare, please contact Janet Wyke at 939-3853 or with the number and ages of your children; however drop-ins are always welcome. Many thanks to Janet for her leadership and hard work in making these sessions possible!

Summer Worship Topics

What would you like to learn about this summer? What will touch your heart? How can your spirit be moved? We are the Worship Committee and we would like to offer Sunday Services that you want. Please let us know what you would like your summer services to include by April 7. Contact Wanda Jennings at 362-7563 or .

April Landscape Work Party!

Saturday, April 17, 9 am–noon is when it's happening. We rake, trim, weed and in general do all sorts of fun things as we party into Spring. If you have favorite gloves or tools, by all means bring them but know we have lots of equipment available for your gardening pleasure. The much anticipated catered lunch (got rave reviews in Gourmet's last issue) will be there for all as noon arrives, menu to be weather-determined. This is easily a family event, with lots for kids to do as parents engage in their labors of love. Honest, this is great fun: just ask Valerie, Liam, Mary, Emily, Peter and Sophie!

HELP WANTED for the Chocolate Dessert Extravaganza

Between 10:00 am and 5:00pm Saturday, April 17 (see event details below)

* Put it on your calendar and plan to come

* Tell or email your friends, neighbors and co-workers

* Sign up on the clip board in the North Vestibule to make a chocolate dessert

* Sign up on the clip board in the North Vestibule to put in some time — setting up, cleaning up, cashiering, beverage preparation and monitoring, table cloth washing, dessert plating, dish washing, etc. Something for everyone! This is a great way to better get to know fellow BUUFers. Women, men and teens welcome to help.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

It's April, Time for Habitat!

Each April, around the observance of Earth Day, BUUF's Green Sanctuary Team earmarks twenty-five per cent of the plate offering for Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity. You are probably aware that Habitat helps families that might not otherwise be able to afford their own homes get into new, well-built houses, and you might be aware that for the past two years BUUF has been providing money and volunteer labor to help this happen.

If you are new to BUUF, you might wonder why this is an effort of the Green Sanctuary Team. The answer is that a few years ago BUUF's Senior High group staged a very successful fund-raising drive that netted five thousand dollars for Habitat. That money helped them build their first LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) house, and gave them the impetus to build all future houses to LEED standards. Several BUUF volunteers spent two Saturdays in 2008 working on that house. Last year's plate offering provided an additional one thousand dollars for Habitat, and three new houses, again built with BUUF volunteer help, are nearing completion and will soon be occupied.

We hope this April's offering will provide a similar amount for Habitat, along with more volunteer building opportunities in coming months. Remember, if you would like make a 100% donation to Habitat, just write "Outreach" on the notation line of your check.

Hunger Awareness Team Visits Whittier

Karen Raese

On March 4, members of the BUUF social justice hunger awareness team visited Whittier School. Derek Gardner, Assistant Principal, hosted the meeting that also included representatives from Senator Crapo's, Representative Simpson's and Senator Risch's offices. We had a great conversation, sharing our thoughts regarding the importance of strengthening the Child Nutrition Act which is due for reauthorization this spring. Derek Gardner was especially helpful as he was able to share first hand the hunger issues facing his students and the positive impacts that the Child Nutrition Act has. Afterwards, we enjoyed eating lunch with the Whittier students. A special thank you goes to Sheila Ames for coordinating this important meeting.

Voices from the Shelter

Nancy Rice

It's either feast or famine with volunteers at the shelter. Come December, people are in a generous mood, so the volunteer spots fill quickly. However, during the cold months of winter, the volunteers thin and nearly every week I email a plea for folks to fill our shifts.

Not so this last week at the shelter. Three faith based organizations combined to adopt Sanctuary for a week, a new program offered to any organization that has concerns for the homeless in Boise. So was formed an unusual alliance between the Islamic Center of Boise, the Church of Latter Day Saints and the First United Church of Christ.

To prepare, I created a schedule to fit in the many volunteers who were donating their time along with their congregation's promise to financially support the Sanctuary for one week. Even at that time I knew there would be an overabundance of help, but come that Sunday, even I was surprised.

As I walked into Sanctuary that night it felt like a party was going on. Close to a dozen volunteers had showed up, a few more than I had arranged. There were folks working in the laundry room, cleaning up the office, fixing our fax machine, organizing the storage units, playing cards with the residents and on and on. So many that one of our old time residents, stood at the sign in desk, stunned by the activity and turned around and walked right out the gate.

But he was the only complaint we received. It was an amazing and complicated week but one that truly shows that the Shelter is indeed an Interfaith Sanctuary.

On Pantry and PIFF

The BUUF Congregational Care Team has been busy lately, trying to keep up with problems facing BUUF members due to the nation's economic situation as well as the usual needs of a community such as ours. We have answered several requests for emergency cash from the Pay It Forward Fund (PIFF), our food pantry has provided nutrition for people who found themselves short of groceries and money, and we have to assisted with a flurry of memorial services for members and friends of BUUF.

We would like to remind everyone that we are here to help as needed, in material or spiritual ways. If we cannot solve your problem directly, perhaps we can refer you to those who can. And remember, if you are hungry and your pockets are empty, their is a well-stocked food pantry in the coat room off the south vestibule. Take whatever you need, as often as necessary.

If you are able to give, the pantry currently has plenty of pasta, peanut butter and vegetables, but we could use canned milk, canned meat (tuna, chicken, Spam - yes, some of us actually like Spam!), breakfast cereal and cereal bars, toiletry and hygiene items (soap, toothpaste, shampoo, razor blades, toilet paper), cleaning supplies (laundry and dish detergent, general purpose cleaners), and dog and cat food. And the Pay It Forward Fund always welcomes cash donations; you don't have to wait for "PIFF Month" at the collection plate!

Partner Church News

Community House

In February we received plans for the expanded Mészkõ community house drawn up by the official architect of the Transylvanian Unitarian church. The plans call for a two-story structure with an assembly hall and kitchen on the main floor and guest rooms/bathrooms on the upper floor that can be used for a bed and breakfast. Funds raised by our congregation will help to make this endeavor a reality. The Mészkõ Community House begins with the ground floor assembly room as part of phase 1.

Boise trip

Six travelers from Boise will be joined in Transylvania by Mike Weiss who is serving in the Peace Corps in Albania. Planning is well under way. At this time, the trip can no longer accept new travelers. However, please let Cynthia Alleman know if you'd like to participate in a future trip.

Balint Family Adventures

In addition to being a Starr King student; working with the Mészkõ congregation to plan the Boiseans July visit, the community house project; and his own family life; Reverend Balint preaches several Sundays a month at Unitarian congregations in the US to help promote the Balazs Ferenc Scholarship program. His efforts will help enable future Transylvanian Unitarian ministers to come to Berkeley to study at Starr King School for the Ministry. Robert's last sermon under the program will be delivered on June 19 in Summit, New Jersey (less than three weeks before the Boise visitors arrive in Mészkõ).

Summer Solstice Celebration?

Gena Delucchi

The Winter Solstice Service has become one of more popular and anticipated events at BUUF, yet there is no corresponding acknowledgment of the longest day of summer. As a former Alaskan, I miss the various Midnight Sun celebrations that took place each June. I propose that we organize a lay-led happening, most likely a "sunrise service" to greet the day and take advantage of cooler temperatures, for us to note this auspicious day as a community.

I am willing to head up a planning committee and invite others to assist with paying homage to the "Other Solstice" of our Earth Mother. Please contact Gena Delucchi, 327-0408, to come together to brainstorm ideas and facilitate a summer celebration.

How Humanists Might Help

Jeanette Ross

The spring 2010 UU World magazine considers the difference between our denomination's actual cultural/racial diversity and our expressed commitment to becoming a multicultural community. How do we recognize our (mostly) Euro and Anglo cultural norms and then what do we do about it?

Humanists can help. We begin by looking at human values and behavior and notice that we have two ways of believing- what IS and what OUGHT to be. What we've noticed: we humans have a distinct tendency to adjust the former to match the latter. This distinction is important because the emphasis in organized religion is often upon what ought to be and how we should adjust our behavior to match.

This is complicated by the existence of difference in the size and thus the influence of any particular group. Dominated groups (and individuals) live with frustration and fear, both constant forms of stress. They inevitably act in ways to win acceptance, approval from dominating groups. Religions can help, religions can be part of the problem. Like UUs in general, humanists want to help. One way to start is suggested in another UU feature: step into the world of others as a resource, a learner, a small minority.

Join us April 18 for our next discussion. We meet in the library, 11am. No creed, no experts. Contact Rick, or Jeanette, for more information.

It Takes a Village...

...to look after our Landscape treasures, and specifically the Courtyard water feature and the new Peace Pole, both inviting but not interactive. Rearranging the stones in the water feature and the pea gravel around the Peace Pole may be beckoning, but we all need to be reminded that these are actually works of art. No one likes having her/his painting, sculpture or other creation 'altered.' (In the case of the water feature, moving the stones resulted in burning out the water pump.) Practically all of BUUF Outdoors is available for climbing, exploring, peeking inside, touching, etc., but these two elements are in a class by themselves: Enjoy by looking at them. Please help others remember this.

Sage Mysteries

Tom von Alten

Patty Nakaoki traveled to Egypt, Qatar and Bahrain earlier this year, and on Thursday, April 8 she'll tell the BUUF Sages about the experience: "It's not about the headscarf."

On the fourth Thursday (April 22), the mystery is what the program will be? Perhaps Mr. Plum in the kitchen with a candlestick? Oh wait, wrong game. What we do know: the Sages will meet at the appointed place (Kopper Kitchen, 2661 Airport Way) and hour (9:30am) for our semi-monthly gatherings, a lively conversation, and a no-host breakfast. Just one more unanswered question: will you be there? If the suspense becomes too much to bear, contact Tom (378-1217 or ) for more information. Newcomers are always welcome.

Ministerial Lunches!

Would you like a little relaxed time with your minister and Committee on Ministry members, just having lunch and schmoozing? We hold the West Lunch on first Tuesdays, and the East Lunch on third or fourth Fridays. Here are the facts:

• Tuesday, April 6, Miss Tami's Cottage and Tea Room, 1031 North Main Street, Meridian, 11:30. (It's always possible just to have coffee here, too.)
• Friday, April 23, the cafeteria in the URS Building (formerly Washington Mutual, even more formerly M-K) on Park, across Broadway on the inbound Extender, 11:30. Go in the double doors behind the big fountain.

Join us!

New UU Class Offered Again: April 10 & 17

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 in two sessions on Saturday, April 10 and 17 from 9:00 am until about 1:00 pm. We'll have a potluck lunch, so bring something to share. To sign up or get more information please contact Membership chair, Jay Wechselberger, at 871-3765 or .

Second Saturday Fellowship Fun Night – April 10, 6-9pm

Everyone is invited to a potluck meal and fellowship fun. If the weather cooperates we will have a picnic in the courtyard. There is entertainment for all ages. Come at 5:30 if you can to help set up and we will all do the clean up. Pack up your picnic baskets and join us for a good time.

This activity is brought to you by the Festivities Committee – are you interested in being on the committee? Contact Miriam Woito at .

Other Book Club

Mark your calendars for the following book club discussions. On April 11th at 7 PM we will be discussing the Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Benita Coleman is hosting. Her address is 8169 W. Beckton Ln, Garden City. Call 375-9082 for directions.

On May 16 we will be discussing the non-fiction book The Good Life by Helen and Scott Nearings. The book is about their journey living self sufficiently. Eric Wallace is hosting.

On June 13 we will be discussing To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

Happy Reading!

Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East presents:

American Jews and Israeli citizens against the Occupation of Palestine, and for justice and rights for the Palestinian people. BUUF, North Wing, Saturday April 24, 4-6 pm. This UUJME meeting is open to all, and especially to our Jewish members and friends! Please come and engage the conversation!

Make Sure Your Name is Spelled Right!

The new BUUF directory is coming together. Draft copies are available in both vestibules on Sunday, March 28 and Sunday, April 4. Please review your entry in the draft directory and make changes or corrections as needed. If you are new to the BUUF community and would like to be included in the directory, please fill out the information form next to the directory and leave it in the basket on the table.

Children MUST be enrolled the Children's Religious Exploration program to be included in the directory. If you need to register your child(ren) see Emmie Schlobohm, director of children's RE.

Copies of the directory will be available on Sunday, April 11.

Chocolate Dessert Extravaganza

Saturday April 17 1:00 to 4:00

$10 per person for 3 desserts and 1 raffle ticket

Extra desserts $3 — Extra raffle tickets $2

Take Home Available!

Public Welcome—invite your friends, neighbors and co-workers.

Let's Show Our Appreciation

BUUF's leaders, volunteers, and staff keep our community strong and vibrant. A Task Force is forming to plan a fun offsite Appreciation Event in June. Please contact Sue Philley (340-9450 or ) if you'd like to learn more about participating (2-3 meetings) as a member of the Task Force.

Let Us Entertain You!

On Saturday evening, April 17, at 7:00 pm, BUUF will be the site of an exciting and eclectic variety show put on by a traveling performance group called the Tranny Roadshow. This will be a fun and affordable evening. Admission will be only $10, and 40% of the proceeds will benefit BUUF's Welcoming Congregation Committee – the Fellowship's liaison with the LGBT community and the group that works to ensure that BUUF is a fully inclusive spiritual home for LGBT people and their families.

The Tranny Roadshow comprises an eclectic group of artists—a unique variety show where the expression of gender and the expression of self are inseparable. Although the members of the Tranny Roadshow are all trans-identified, the show is open and accessible to everyone. Some pieces of each show focus specifically on gender, but many do not.

The entertainers who perform in the Tranny Roadshow recognize that their trans identities are singular facets of who they are, and one of the aims of the Roadshow is to present transpeople as whole, multi-faceted people. Thus, the show presents a wide spectrum of gender identities, a brilliant array of living art, and the ties that bind these identities to the performers' artwork and to the world at large.

The Tranny Roadshow is in its sixth year of touring and has performed at a variety of college campuses, community centers, art spaces, Unitarian Universalist Fellowships and more. For more information about the program and performers, visit the Tranny Roadshow on the web.

A View From The Bridge

Jolene Schow

We are pleased to announce Cathy Carmen & Karen Raese are our new job-share Event Coordinators for the Bridge Event Center beginning the end of February. Our special thanks to Bev Harley and Jeanie Scepka for the excellent job they have done for the last seven months. Both Jeanie and Bev's other part-time jobs have exploded into success so they had to adjust. Jeanie will stay on the BEC committee and Bev will be finishing the coordination for events she started as well as helping us with the transition. Our best wishes go with them.

Business is booming at BEC! The phone and website have been very busy. Outside events are the most popular – four weddings booked, five weddings pending, a Family Reunion, a two-day lecture and workshop, a 50th Birthday, a health screening day, a graduation party, a BSU honor's student banquet all in various stages of development. There have also been numerous new "inside" events. We hope you'll tell others about us, because the money we raise by sharing our beautiful site is that much that BUUF doesn't have to ask you for.

Be sure to check us out on the web or by finding us on Facebook. We hope you'll "become a fan."

The Gift

What sort of bird I couldn't tell. Just a flit
of wing through leaves of maple tree bird hole.
A feather, brown and white, tiny
(were I an elf I'd wear it in my cap)
drifted slowly...
hovered...
before my eyes, then
glided
light as a moon beam
to my right foot.
A gift—anonymous. And so was I—anonymous.
The message was clear.

E. Coston Frederick