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Unitarian Universalist Ocean County Congregation |
"UUOCC Board of Trustees will have hired a part time minister and will have established residence in a new location that is sufficient to our needs and the desire of the congregation to have morning services on Sundays, understanding that all members may not agree with the final decision in these matters, but we will encourage right relations and civil discourse in these and all matters."
In 2009 the Board and other members of several committees devoted much of their time to pursuing the goals of hiring a minister and finding a new location for our services. Their toil has begun to bring results. Several locations have been identified, and while none as yet have been secured, the search process has brought more thought and definition to imagining the “right” place. The Ministerial Search committee has four candidates who will be interviewed this month. Committee members will be traveling to other congregations to hear these candidates preach.
The first part of the vision will hopefully be a reality by the end of the year. It is easy to say that the second part of this vision statement is a reality at this time, but it will probably be tested from time to time as the first half becomes a reality. In this, as in all other situations in which we deal with others in the congregation who do not agree with our decisions or actions, we need to be mindful of right relations and civility in our conversations.
When opinions are challenged emotions can run high. Opinions are based on beliefs and when beliefs (often unconscious) are threatened, it can seem like a physical threat, and the body acts accordingly, heart beating faster, breathing becomes shallower and even sweating can begin. It is a physiological response, occurring deep in the limbic system, involuntarily, saying “fight or flight”- our prehistoric adaptation to a threat to life. Intellectually we may realize that our life is not being threatened by a disagreeable statement, but our emotions will make us feel otherwise. That’s when we need to take a deep breath (helps to clear the mind and heart) and reconsider the emotional response that might be on the tip of the tongue.
Let us make the second half of the Vision Statement for 2010 a permanent part of not just our congregation life, but of our entire lives. For who we are as Unitarian Universalists is how we are to the world.
... Bonney Parker
February 7 ... “Service as Fulfillment”, John Hawkins
February 14 ... “Why we Cry: Tears In The Fabric of Community”, Rev. Phil Passantino
Februaru 21 ... "I'm Pagan . . . I Don't Bite", Joe Gonzalez
Febreuary 28 ... "Chance or Circumstance: Childfree/less in a Child-filled Society”, Holly Bussey and uu4ia (pronounced Euphoria) This is a musical service with a sermon.
SPECIAL NOTE:
March, 2010 is National Womens History Month, and we're celebrating this with
a series of special services on each Sunday of the month. Much preparation has
been going into this, and special speaker engagements have been arranged.
See Services for additional information on these services.
On behalf of the Stewardship Committee and the UUOCC Board of Trustees, thank you to our members and friends who have given gifts of your time, talents and treasure as a witness for the values of our UU faith community and the meaning of our community in your mind, heart and spirit. Your witness shows in your call to membership, your service on committees and special programs, participation in worship services, your caring actions in and out of our community and in pledging over $30,000 in financial support for the expenses of our UU congregation.
Together
Giving gifts from our individual nature
We are a community of Faith, Hope and Love
Now and moving forward into the future
Together…Together…Together.
... Pat Robison for the Stewardship Campaign
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The Ministerial Search Committee is proceeding with its work to obtain the best match between our congregation’s stated (and unstated) needs, and the aptitudes, attitudes and skills that our pre-candidates have to offer. Andrea Lerner of NY Metro District has pre-vetted each pre-candidate sent to us, and all pre-candidates are fully eligible and more than qualified to serve as our consulting minister.
Our pre-candidates differ on almost every variable you could name, and each is a unique ‘package,’ if you will. They have feelings and self-images which they are ‘putting on the line’ as they try to show us, on paper, who they really are. Their packets are revealing of their personal and faith journeys, their challenges, and the gifts they have earned the hard way.
In return, committee members try to treat them with respect they are due as religious professionals. We reply promptly with information and answers to questions; don’t take up their time unnecessarily; and seek to accommodate their particular constraints and life situations.
Personal interviews will be completed by mid-February, and then the committee will travel to hear each precandidate preach. Please continue to support your Ministerial Search Committee with your prayers and good wishes.
I’m a newbie on the UUOCC block, having first come to this congregation at the beginning of last November, and then having become a member only seven or so weeks later. I’m a ‘geek’ and proud of it.; I come here with more than twenty-five years of professional computer industry experience of all sorts that I’ve started to put to use here as a volunteer giving service. I’ve assumed responsibility for our website, with a mission handed over by Linda Kay and Hank Douma, to work with everyone to “make it better.” Linda and Hank have great ideas; I’m sure you do too. I’d love to hear them, so “Beam your emails to me, Scottie” at wylle@live.com. I’ll promise to review everything I get, and I might follow-up with a phone call if you include your phone number and if you don’t mind me calling. Anyway, I’ve started making some changes, and planning more along with Linda and Hank, as a team. I hope you like what evolves. Thanks for letting me aboard. C U A-O ;-)
… Wylle Reisman
Fifteen congregation members responded to "Guest at Our Table." Donations amounte to $712,00,
Rena and Martin (her son) delivered bread to Lakewood on 1/8/10 and we are still asking for more volunteers.
Bette reported that HELP (Homelessness Ended Through Local Partners) has a focus on having Ocean County put into place a Homeless Trust Fund as required by law. The Freeholders of Ocean County have been less than active in implementing this required program. The Township of Lakewood has passed a resolution supporting the establishment of the Homeless Trust Fund and members of HELP are working on having other Townships and organizations, including UUOCC, adopt supportive statements. The Board of UUOCC has endorsed a letter of support.
Nancy asked if we'd like to take action in support of Garden State Equality. Their aim working with LAMBDA is to petition the NJ Supreme Court to uphold its mandate, issued in 2006 , to provide equal marriage protection to same sex couples. The Civil Union Law which was passed failed to do this. So LAMBDA and Garden State Equality will now go back to the NJSC for a ruling. Nancy asked if we could take action in this effort.
Kat and Rena attended (unofficially) a meeting of the Sierra Club where 3 DVDs were shown relating to major environmental issues. The first one explored in depth the beauty of the Artic Wildlife Refuge and our need to protect it. The second DVD chronicled the history and the ever-present danger to the Red Rock Wilderness in Utah. The last video described the imminent danger posed by climate change.
Pending approval by the Program Committee, Greg Auriemma, president of the Sierra Clubs Ocean County chapter, agreed to speak at a Sunday service with strong emphasis on environmental justice.
As the bitter cold winter continues we need warm clothes to take to the folks in Lakewood! Please bring them to the Sunday service.
... SAC members Nancy, Rena, Bette, Peter, Kat
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The UUOCC commitment for Interfaith Hospitality Network is coming soon. Our dates to support St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Beachwood are Monday, March 1; Tuesday, March 2; and Wednesday, March 3. Dinner hosts (2) and overnight hosts (2) are needed. Please contact either Bette Chosak or Nancy Lang. Please help us continue to give support to the young families of our community. Thank you.
... Bette
Great! We need a team to plan the course! Frank Kowalczyk has done extensive research on UU history and already has materials prepared. He's kindly offered to work in conjunction with a small team to organize the details for implementing the course. Bring your ideas and enthusiasm! Make use of the opportunity to give our community a religious education course!
...Angela Gandolfo, on behalf of the Lifespan
Special thanks to all of our Sunday volunteers who gave us their time and energy during the month of January: Annette Bergins, Alex Borowicz, Harold Burke, Hazel Burke, Marilyn Butawice, Bette Chosak, Kat Comer, Rhoda Costain, Doris D’Angelo, Janice Gindicelli, Tom Goodwin, Frank Kowalczyk, Wylle Reisman and Ruth Wagner. Your hard work and dedication is invaluable!
... Angela Gandolfo
The next meeting of the Book discussion group will be on Feb. 6 at the church at 12:00 noon. The book we will discuss is "One Thousand White Women" by John Fergus.
The March meeting will be on Saturday, March 6 at 12:00 noon and the book will be the novel "Gilead" a 2005 Pulitzer Prize Winner by Marilynne Robinson.
Forgiveness, jealously, love, grace, faith, fear, and resentment are all themes so tightly woven into this beautifully written multi-generational story. Incidents in the story take place in rural Iowa and Kansas from the time of the Civil War through the 1950's. Although that time and culture is much different than most of us are now living, the characters of Rev. John Ames, his father, his grandfather, and his namesake John Ames Broughton are most authentic.
Gilead is a spiritually fulfilling book and not because (or maybe in spite of the fact) most of the major characters are preachers. The fact that they are preachers only provides a clearer lens in which to see the issues of belief and doubt and how that belief or doubt affects our daily lives. An atheist wrote that the book "becomes a meditation on how even the simplest life can be touched by grace and wonder." Perhaps it is the simplest life that is most likely touched by grace and wonder as these characters demonstrate so beautifully.
See Hazel Burke for details.
We will meet on Thursday, February 25 at 1:30 at the home of Rena Amada. Bring a late-lunch snack if you wish. Call Rena at 732-849-9050 if you neded directions. We thank Pat Robison for coming up with a great reading by William James titled "the Energies of Men." The term "Men" is obviously used as a generic term for both genders. Energy is so important for us now as we seek new space and a minister. Several copies of this article will be made available on the table in the back of our sanctuary and we will also send it out as an email to those who have attended our meetings. Never forget that all are welcome to this dynamic discussion group.
... Hank Douma
Some people who listened to UU broadcasts from the Community Church on WQXR might like to know that the broadcasts are now on WWRL 1600 AM, an Air America Affiliate, at 11:30 am on Sundays.
... Annette
The votes are in and were cast. On Sunday, Jan. 3rd, several UUOCC members lead discussions about several issues the UUA has asked us to vote on. All UU congregations have the opportunity to cast their votes for the topics we would most like to research and put our energies into improving. In addition to the six CSAIs, there is also a draft Statement of Conscience. Members were given the opportunity to read the SOC, vote on it, and provide feedback for discussion. Twenty-eight of our members cast their ballots. The results are as follows:
Congregation Study/Action Issues #1- Energy, Peace, and Justice, #2- National Economic Reform: A Moral Imperative, #3- Revitalizing American Democracy, #4- Ending Slavery, #5- Immigration as a Moral Issue, #6- Nuclear Disarmament
Statement of Conscience 15 Approve, 0 Disapprove, 13 No Answer
Bonney Parker, our president, cast UUOCC’s vote to the UUA. There will be final discussion at this year’s General Assembly.
Subjects chosen at that time will become part of our focus for 2010 to 2014.
... Angela Gandolfo
It Happened the Way it Had to Happen
At the 2009 General Assembly in Salt Lake City, the Rev. Mark Morrison-Reid delivered an impassioned speech on the black empowerment controversy of 1967-70, titled as above. He looked back on the progress Unitarian-Universalists have made in the struggle for social justice in the acceptance and involvement of African-Americans into our denomination.
Just after the race riots in Newark and Detroit in 1967, UUA held an Emergency Conference on Unitarian Universalist Response to the Black Rebellion. Of the 135 participants in New York’s Biltmore Hotel, 37 were African-Americans. Whether those 37 were believed to fairly represent the denomination has remained a matter of contention to this day.
Immediately after the session started, 30 of the black representatives withdrew to form a Black Unitarian Universalist Caucus (BUUC). They developed a list of “non-negotiable" demands, including the formation of a Black Affairs Council (BAC) with a funding level of $250,000 for four years. The UUA General Assembly, in full conference, accepted the caucus demands.
Cornelius McDougald, who chaired the Biltmore Hotel meeting, and himself an African-American, refused to join the BAC, unwilling “to submit to intimidation by blacks or whites.” He later went to co-found a group called the Black and White Action (BAWA). For ten years, the acronyms BAC and BAWA signified the deepest rift in UU history.
During the 1969 GA in Boston a proposal to divide the $250,000 between the BAC and BAWA was defeated after a walkout by BAC supporters. Soon thereafter, the UUA financial condition caused the 1970 GA in Seattle to reduce the funding. More acrimony ensued and soon the BAC and BAWA ceased to function.
In detailing the dark days of the UUA during this period, Rev. Morrison-Reid focused on four uncontrollable forces that led to the inevitability of this tragedy.
UUism saw a form of “white flight” to the suburbs, away from the urban, more-highly African-American populated municipalities. Earlier, in the fifties, neither the American Unitarian Association nor the Universalist Church of America gave backing to African-American congregations or worked to settle African-American ministers.
The UUA, only recently established in 1961, was struggling to develop its maturity.
As a result of “our chronic stinginess” the UUA institution lost money and its power to achieve.
UUA was still hindered by fellowships that were “anti-clerical, anti-institutional, distrustful of power, and protective of congregational autonomy.”
These uncontrollable forces were the cause for the inevitability of the schism. In concluding his talk at the GA, Rev. Morrison-Reed was making a call to reconciliation after more than 40 years of this division. He stated “No one who was involved has felt understood or appreciated, much less honored. Today, I come to honor their passion and their fervor and their commitment to principle, and to argue that it did make a difference."
As a result of those past mistakes, he further explained, significant achievements were accomplished in the areas of rights for women, gays, disabled, Hispanics and other left-out groups.
In this Black History month, we should take heed of Rev. Morrison-Reed’s final call – “It (the black empowerment controversy) happened because the nature of life is often tragic, but it is also, never, never without hope. Reconciliation is always possible.” That is how we heal.
NOTE: Rev. Mark Morrison-Reed: Raised in the Unitarian Universalist faith, Morrison-Reed was ordained in the Unitarian Universalist ministry in 1979. For 26 years, he and his wife, Donna, served as co-ministers--first in Rochester, New York, then in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Morrison-Reed's graduate thesis, Black Pioneers in a White Denomination, was published in 1984 and is still in print. Now retired from full-time ministry, Morrison-Reed divides his time between writing and other interests. For instance, he has been working with Meadville Lombard Theological School to organize and build the library's archive of materials relating to African American involvement in Universalism, Unitarianism and Unitarian Universalism. His other two books are: Been in the Storm So Long – 1991 - Meditations that embody the struggles and triumphs of African Americans; and In Between – Memories of an Integration Baby – 2008 – Personal account of growing up black during the Civil Rights Era.
... Frank Kowalczyk
We, the members of the Unitarian Universalist Ocean County Congregation, are a vibrant, liberal religious community dedicated to providing a spiritual home for people of differing beliefs. We welcome all who honor acceptance, respect, the richness of diversity, reason, love, and mutual trust. As Unitarian Universalists, unified by life-affirming principles, we are inspired to deepen our understanding, expand our vision, nurture one another, and labor for justice and a peaceful world.
UUOCC meets Sundays at 2 pm at:
TheUnited Church of Christ of Toms River,
1681 Ridgeway Rd (Co Route 571) Toms River, NJ.
All are welcome.
Phone: (732) 244-3455
E-Mail: ocean-uu@uuocc.org
Webpage: http://www.uuocc.org