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4907 Garrett Road, Durham NC 27707 ~ 919-489-2575 ~ www.eruuf.org

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

October 2009

October Services In Care Rev. Deborah Cayer Notes from the Board Christine Amabile Notes from the Podium Kevin Badanes Religious Education Holly McKinney Youth Ministry News Melissa Gvestang-Lucky Middle School Youth Group

Adult Programming

Fellowship Family Beverly Kawalec Membership Matters Kacey Zucchino Denominational Affairs Nancy Henley

Covenant Groups Carolyn Worthing Ecotours Lonna Harkrader Earth Friendly Giving Audrey Green Save The Date ERUUF Calendar for October, 2009

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Sunday Worship October 2009 Services at

9:15 am and 11:15am

October 4 - Right Relationship

Rev. Deborah Cayer

As a major tenet, every world religion has something like the Golden Rule, “do unto others as you would have them do to you.” How might Unitarian Universalists go about this great work? Rev. Deborah Cayer, worship leader.

October 11 - A Living Tradition

Rev. Deborah Cayer

Unitarian Universalism is understood as a “living tradition,” a faith constantly created by those who are ready to face questions and issues, and meet the needs of the present moment. And yet, if we’re continually crafting our faith while we’re living it, of what can a Unitarian Universalist be certain? And what do we offer newcomers? What do we offer the next generation? (This is Generosity Sunday and our recipient is the Unitarian Universalist Association).

October 18 - What Is It That I Believe?

Rev. J.D. Benson

How do we hold our beliefs? How do we make room for one another’s individual search for truth and meaning? How do we get in our own and one another’s way? Come let us search together. October 25 - What’s Love Got to Do With It?

Rev. Deborah Cayer

Unitarian Universalism is a covenantal religious tradition; what binds UUs together is not shared belief, but rather, shared commitments and promises. A rational, orderly faith? Sometimes…but then, what’s love got to do with it?

Mark Your Calendar!

DOUG MUDER/GREG GREENWAY SOCIAL JUSTICE WORKSHOP

OCTOBER 3

BEATLES ROCK BAND PARTY OCTOBER 3

CAFÉ ERUUF OCTOBER 10

ENO RIVER FELLOWSHIP FOUNDATION GRANT

PROPOSAL DEADLINE EXTENDED TO OCTOBER 12

BRUNCH FUNDRAISER FOR COMING OF AGE PROGRAM

OCTOBER 18 AND 25

ERUUF ANNUAL FAMILY HALLOWEEN PARTY

OCTOBER 28

In Care

2 October 2009 Currents

Rev. Deborah Cayer, Acting Lead Minister

As I walk to work I notice that the thin strip of woods between ERUUF’s campus and Garrett Rd. smell spicy. Some of the trees seem to be giving off a scent something like cinnamon or nutmeg, and the wild clema-tis offers its heady perfume. The grasshoppers still fly out of the way as I walk along, but some kind of giant bulbous spiders are intent on making huge, sturdy webs right across the sidewalk. There is resistance in those webs—you hit one without knowing it and it stretches before it breaks—which means it’s quite strong.

Where does that strength come from? I saw an abandoned web once with a giant bumble bee in its cen-ter; the bee was held halfway, as if stuck in a thresh-old. From a distance, though it was dead but not wrapped up in spider silk, the bee looked as if it was sus-pended in mid-flight, like one of those surreal pictures of time standing still. And I wonder, what’s in that spider silk that allows it to stretch, yet hold even giant bumble bees so securely? What evolutionary twists allowed spi-ders to bring forth the means to catch their own suste-nance from their own bodies?

And what about us? We gather food in distinctly different ways than spiders, and yet I think we have a similar capacity for spinning out a thread that might catch us some spiritual sustenance. It seems to me that when we pay attention, when we simply slow down and allow ourselves time to truly see the world, we sometimes see marvelous, amazing things. When we allow ourselves to wonder, to be curious, even to be open to awe and amazement, the world is full of possibility so much greater than we would have ever allowed as we rush on to practical matters.

This fall, ERUUF could use our deep atten-tion. ERUUF is each and every person who makes this their spiritual home, especially newcomers who I’ve no-ticed are looking for ways to get involved, ways to catch the spirit of this place. This fall I hope you take the time to pay attention to the amazing world, to the amazing people who cross your path. They arrive carrying ques-tions and pain, and also humor and love that they are so ready to offer if only someone takes the time to notice.

In Faith, Deborah

New Banners in the Sanctuary

The lovely banners hang-ing at the front of the sanctuary were a gift given to the congregation on August 30, 2009 by Rev. Don and Kathleen Southworth, and were presented by Don during his good-bye sermon that day. They were commis-sioned from the same silk artist who created the silk banners hanging in the Straube Chapel, and each represents one of the ends within ERUUF's mission statement: spirit, service, justice and love. The ban-ners are easily moveable and can be displayed at vari-ous times throughout the year, and will be hanging there this autumn, but are not intended or expected to be a permanent installation. Questions? Talk to any board member or Rev. Cayer.

New Director of Administration

In early September the Search Team for a new Director of Administration was extremely pleased to announce that they had identified Daniel Trollinger for the position, and that he has accepted the offer. Dan earned an M.Div. from Yale Divinity School and is an ordained Interfaith minister. He's been a Durham resi-dent for fifteen years and has three young children Dan worked as an administrator at Duke and most recently for an Energy Medicine Partnerships. Dan is looking forward to working in such a vibrant spiritual community. If you didn't have the chance to meet Dan at the Connections Fair, look for him on Sundays (and during the week) and say hello.

Welcome New Asst. Minister! Rev. Jade “J.D.” Benson is our new Consulting Assis-tant Minister. She comes to us from having served as a hospice and hospital chaplain. J.D. looks forward to her ministry with ERUUF and will be working with a focus on pastoral care, social justice, and adult reli-gious education. Having grown up in New York, J.D. moved to Arlington, VA after 29 years in the San Francisco Bay area where her son Seth attends col-lege. Her partner, the Rev. Mary Ganz, serves at the UU Church of Arlington, VA. “I come to ERUUF with a ‘fire in my belly,’ as my dear mentor Faithful Fool Rev. Kay Jorgensen would say. This is a great community with hope and vision to grow and become what it dares to dream.”

We are so pleased to welcome Rev. Cayer into her role as Acting Lead Minister. We are having many good con-versations that will help us work collaboratively this year as we continue our many transitions. One thing we have determined is that, though we are operating under our current Bylaws, the Board has passed a set of governing policies that structure our governance at ERUUF. In these policies the expectations are set for the responsibilities of the Lead Minister. However, our current Bylaws are not geared towards a system of policy-based governance. This leaves our Lead Minister accountable for things over which she has no specific authority. This is particularly true of our program committees. Our program committees (for example: Religious Educa-tion, Social Justice, House and Grounds, etc.) are—under our current bylaws—accountable directly to the Board. However, one of the primary reasons we have decided to move towards a policy-based governance is that our con-gregation has out-grown that mode of operation. We have determined it is much more effective to dis-tinguish between visionary leadership and executive lead-ership, and provide appropriate policies that would allow the visionary leadership to focus on developing and articu-lating ERUUF’s vision and the executive leadership to figure out how to pursue and achieve that vision. Thus, in this time of governance transition, there has been some ambiguity about roles and authority that have proven to be obstacles to our work. To help clarify, the Board at its September business meeting has passed the following resolution:

In view of the extended period of governance transition at ERUUF, while the congregation considers revisions to our bylaws and until revised bylaws are approved by congregational vote, the Board aims to clarify a key responsibility delegated to the Board in our current Bylaws. For this period of governance transition, the Board of Trustees delegates responsibility and authority to organize and oversee the program committees to the Acting Lead Minister, the Rev. Deborah Cayer. The Board also asks the committee chairs to report to the Board through the Acting Lead Minister during this period.

Please contact the ERUUF Board of Trustees with any questions or concerns at board@eruuf.org.

The Eno River Fellowship Foundation Offering Money in

Exchange for Your Best Ideas!

The deadline for applying for a grant from the Eno River Fellowship FOUNDATION has been extended to October 12th. Each year the FOUNDATION awards grants to promote innovative projects for building our beloved community. This year approximately $12,500 will be awarded to indi-viduals or groups with a compelling project that will fur-ther ERUUF's mission. If you have an idea that you would like to see funded, check the Foundation link on the ERUUF website www.eruuf.org (under Members and Friends) to learn more about the grant process. There is a proposal form on the website that will give you all of the information you need to begin your grant. You can print out the applica-tion and submit it to the ERUUF office. There are also applications available in the office. You must be a member, staff member, or a committee within ERUUF to apply. For further information and assistance please contact the ERUUF Office at office@eruuf.org or 489-2575. Co-chairs of the Grants Committee. If you have already sub-mitted a grant proposal, check with either Roberta Wood or Bo Glenn to confirm your application has been re-ceived. We hope you will give some thought to how you can par-ticipate in this opportunity to enhance our spiritual com-munity. 3

New Board Member

Welcome Dan Grandstaff! In August the ERUUF Board of Trustees received the resignation of member Bob Kliesen. The Board thanks Bob for his time, energy and hard work – we will miss his presence! The Nominating Committee was notified and went to work finding a replacement. The Board is very pleased to announce that Dan Grandstaff will be com-pleting the remainder of Bob’s term (one year). Dan Grandstaff is a psychotherapist and business coach and consultant specializing in professional develop-ment and interpersonal effectiveness. He was a Pres-byterian parish minister for 13 years (always a UU at heart) and has a Doctor of Ministry in group process and organizational development. He has been at ERUUF for 6 years and has coordinated the Covenant Group program for the past 3 years. He is married to Carolyn Worthing and has a son, Peter, who lives in Hillsborough.

Notes from ERUUF Board of Trustees

Christine Amabile, President

Board Update for October 2009

October 2009 Currents

October 2009 Currents

ERUUF Children's Choirs

Our two children's choirs are gearing back up for the fall. The Elementary Choir, for children in 2nd through 5th grades, will meet on Sunday mornings at 10:30 am between services in the Music Room. First rehearsal of the fall was Sept. 27, but please come even if you've missed some rehearsals. Children should be able to read well to participate in this group as we will be learning music from printed lyric sheets and/or music scores. (They do not need to know how to read music!) We will be learning to sing in parts, and we'll be singing in the service (on Intergenera-tional Service Sundays) several times over the year. This group will be led by Pam DiLavore. Contact the ERUUF Office at office@eruuf.org or 489-2575

The Junior Children's Choir, for children in preschool (3 years old and up) through 2nd grade, will meet on Sun-day mornings at 10:30 am between services in Room 2 of the CARE building. The first rehearsal will be Sunday, Oct. 4. Children do not need to be able to read for this group. They will learn unison songs through call and re-sponse. They will sing in Children's Chapel several times during the year. This group will be led by Nicole Adams, Art Hollander and Jennifer Taylor. Contact the ERUUF Office at office@eruuf.org or 489-2575 or come to rehearsal. The Eno River Singers Need YOU!

Did you know that our choir is open to everyone without audition, and without needing to commit for the full

Dinner and a Show!

Music at ERUUF is back in full swing, and the music committee and I are excited to bring you new program-ming this year. In November and December, we will be enjoying food, fellowship, and a variety of musical per-formances. Dinner and a Show! Join us at 6:30 PM on Wednesdays for a gourmet dinner, prepared by ERUUF's very own chefs, and then for great music by ERUUF's own musicians. Starting this November, one Wednesday per month will feature a special themed dinner, available at a small fee, followed by a folk/classical/vocal/instrumental performance in our sanctuary. See Nov. newsletter for dates and details. If you would like to share your culinary talents (ERUUF provides all materi-als), please contact Kevin Badanes at music@eruuf.org

The Intergenerational Ensemble debuts!

Looking for something a little more laid back and can’t give up another weeknight? Want to sing and play some styles of music that are a little different? Then the Inter-generational Ensemble might be for you! Anyone from 7th grade to adult that loves the Beatles, or folk, or rock, let us know and we'll tell you how to be a part. We'll be meeting two Sundays a month after second service. Contact Kevin Badanes at music@eruuf.org or 919-489-2575 x 106.

Beatles Rock Band Pizza Party at ERUUF

Come join in the fun and try your hand at Wii Beatles Rock Band – sing, play guitar, bass or drums, watch amazing big screen graphics of the Beatles and your fellow ERUUFians rockin’ out!!!! Guaranteed to be a blast! You do not have to know how to read music, play an instrument, or know any lyrics! If you can sing along to lyrics as they roll across a big screen, or press a button or tap a surface that is the same color in time to the ones you see roll down a big screen, then YOU CAN DO THIS! It’s an interactive video game and karaoke all rolled into one! WHO: Youth and Adults WHEN: Saturday, October 3 from 6-9pm WHERE: Fellowship Hall WHY: For fun and fellowship AND to help ERUUF think through the possibility of an IG (Intergenerational - youth/adult) choir and rock combo. Yes, we want to put together a rockband to accompany the IG choir and we have several seasoned musicians ready to help you realize your dream of being part of a band! WHAT TO BRING: A friend and a desire for fun and suggestions for music for the IG choir/band HOW TO RSVP: Contact the ERUUF Office at office@eruuf.org or call 489-2575 IF I ATTEND, AM I MAKING A BIG COMMITMENT TO BEING IN THE IG CHOIR/COMBO? NO! But keep in mind that we have a goal of creating an easy rehearsal and performance schedule! Don’t let your busy life keep you from having fun with us at ERUUF!

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Notes from the Podium

Kevin Badanes, Music Director

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Holly McKinney Acting Director of Religious Education

Our 2009-2010 RE program got off to a great start on September 13 and the CARE Building is humming with excitement on Sunday mornings. We have 191 infants, children and youth registered and who are being guided in their faith development by 65 teachers, advisors and men-tors (although we still need a few more!).

This year we are making a concerted effort to be more welcoming to new families. Studies have shown that a significant number of visitors and new members are families who are looking for a religious education program for their children. R.E. Greeters will be on duty before each service to greet new families and let them know about our program, where to go and when, classroom

locations, and our registration process. New families will fill out a guest registration card for their child, but as al-ways may visit three times before “officially” registering.

We’re also making improvements to insure that we are keeping children and youth safe. While safety has always been a concern, the Board of Trustees approved a Child and Youth Safe Congregation policy last year and we are making sure that we are now abiding by that document. Teachers and advisors have been informed of the policy and know such things as to always have two adults pre-sent in the classroom and that there will be a fire drill sometime this year! A first in ERUUF’s history, I do believe!

Although not described in the policy, we have decided to have parents of preschoolers sign in their child when they arrive for either the first portion of the worship service or for Children’s Chapel. Parents will sign out children in grades 3 and under at the end of classes.

The enthusiasm of our teachers and advisors is high and the support from both parents and non-parents is heartwarming. In future columns I plan to highlight a curriculum each month so all can know what great things happen in the CARE Building on Sundays. Here’s to a wonderful year in RE! October 2009 Currents

Brunch and Baked Goods Fundraiser

for Coming of Age Program

October 18, Fellowship Hall, 10:15 am & 12: 15 pm

October 25, Fellowship Hall, 12:15 pm

The Unitarian Universalist Coming of Age Program (COA) is a year long right-of-passage for UU teens. COA gives teens a supportive environment to explore their beliefs and to develop confidence and camaraderie. This year, ERUUF has 16 high school youth participating! The great response among our youth means big challenges in fundraising, so that all COA youth can participate in the spring right-of-passage retreat and the summer trip to UUA Headquarters in Boston. The youth will be putting many hours into fund-raising activities, on top of the program activities. Support their religious development—bring your appetite!

More Mentors Urgently Needed

Due to the even better than expected enrollment in the Coming of Age program, we still have several thoughtful, inquisitive youth who need a mentor. Mentoring is deeply rewarding and will only take about two hours per month. Please contact Melissa Gjestvang-Lucky, Youth Ministry Coordinator, at youthministry@eruuf.org or (919) 489-2575 for more information!

Middle School Youth Group (grades 6 to 8) had 15 youth at our first meeting of the year on September 20. We brainstormed ideas about what we want to do together and worked on our covenant about how we want to be together. MSYG meets on the first and third Sunday of each month from 4:00pm to 6:00pm in Room 7. For more information, ask Melissa or one of our MSYG advisors: Kim McKinney and Holly Kingdon or contact Melissa at youthministry@eruuf.org (919) 489-2575

October 2009 Currents

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Fall 2009 Adult Education Classes and Workshops

Unitarian Universalists often think of learning and growth as lifelong processes, and believe these are enhanced when they take place in community. Toward that end, ERUUF offers classes and workshops that support the growth and learn-ing of adults—body, mind, and spirit. The Fall 2009 schedule is available (see brief descriptions below.) A brochure with more extensive descriptions of each offering is available in the Office or on our web site (www.eruuf.org). There is no fee for any class or workshop. Members and friends are welcome, although space is sometimes limited. Sign-up for classes on Sunday during coffee hour, or by contacting the ERUUF Office at office@eruuf.org or (919) 489-2575. But hurry—some classes begin in early October.

Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions Interactive course designed to help people with chronic diseases. Thursdays, 1-3 pm, Oct. 29-Dec. 10 Facilitators: Jeanne Boehlecke and Fran Rukenbrod

Veiled Reality: What is Beyond Quantum Mechanics? Discussion of possible interpretations of what we know about the "veiled reality" hinted at by our understanding of quantum mechanics. Wed. 7-9 pm, Oct. 7-28 Facilitator: Jim McCrae

On Your Way to Authorship Ongoing writers' group dedicated to providing helpful and supportive feedback. Third Monday of each month, 7-9 pm Facilitator: David Halperin

A Gift from the Heart Consider what you value and then write a positive letter to loved ones. Sat. 10 am-12 pm, Nov. 7 & 21 Facilitator: Juanita Johnson

Study Group: Thich Nhat Hanhs' Anger Discussion of the book, Anger, and how its principles might enrich and support our lives in addressing conflict. Wednesdays, 7-8:30 pm, Oct. 14-Nov. 4 Facilitator: Pam Sobek

Unitarian Universalist History Viewing and discussion of DVD featuring historians and ministers who tell the UU story of religious freedom and its other distinguishing features. Wednesdays, 7-9 pm, Oct. 7-Nov. 5 Facilitator: Rev. Deborah Cayer

Harvest the Power: Developing Lay Leadership An interactive class based on the UUA's new curriculum on adult leadership that enables lay persons to grow in spirit as they grow as leaders, and to enrich the skills leaders bring to their roles in church as well as the "outside world." Sundays, 1-3 pm, Oct. 18-Nov. 15 Facilitators: Linda Brooks and Jean O'Barr

Adult Education Committee

Do you like to teach or help organize classes, discussions and programs for adults? Would you like to help create a stronger program for adults at ERUUF? A new commit-tee (to be named) has begun organizing adult classes and programs for the coming program year and we need you to help. We hope to offer one or two core classes in Uni-tarian Universalism in each quarter of the year. We need teachers, mentors, help with tabling at coffee hour and publicity, support for the exciting Wednesday night pro-grams, and maybe a couple things we haven't yet thought of! So every level of interest and ability is needed and welcomeContact the ERUUF Office at office@eruuf.org, or (919) 489-2575

“ISES” is now “Adult Education”

Those of you have been around for awhile may be won-dering - "what happened to ISES (Integrated Studies in Engaged Spirituality)?" Actually, ISES always was Adult Classes and Workshops. We liked the concept a lot, yet heard repeatedly that the name confused people. So for now, we'll call it "Adult Education."

October 2009 Currents

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I found this plaque in my Mother's garden:

"The kiss of the sun for pardon, the sound of the birds for mirth. One's nearer earth's heart in a garden than any place else on earth."

Kacey Zucchino Director of Membership Development

Connections Fair! The Connections Fair was held on a beautiful fall day, with wonderful, much appreciated music and yummy ice cream.

Thank You A HUGE thank you to Amy Vincus, Chair, and Cindy Balentine, Co-Chair, who ably got us organized, seated, and fed. Big thanks also go to Tony Black and his daughter Holly, Ernie Cox and his daughter, Sophia, Glenn Borg, Perry Balentine, Mary Wible-Brennan and Sally Cole. Were you really interested in something that you saw and forgot to get the contact information? Don’t worry—look for a new Guide to ERUUF coming out in a few weeks that will list all the groups and activi-ties here at ERUUF.

ERUUF 101 Due to a family emergency experienced by one of the group leaders, ERUUF 101 scheduled for September 26 had to be canceled. Are you feeling like you’d like to take a step toward further involvement or membership? The next scheduled ERUUF 101 class will now be on Saturday, November 21st, from 8:30 am - 1:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. We will have bagels and coffee in the morning and childcare will be provided if requested a week in advance.

Neighborhood Circles Would you like to meet other UU’s in your Neighbor-hood? Neighborhood Circles are a way to meet your nearby fellow congregants for social events as well as a ride if you are stuck and a casserole if you are sick. More information is coming. Stay tuned. Questions? Contact Kacey Zucchino, (919) 489-2575 x 108 or kzucchino@eruuf.org.

Many thanks to those of you who adopted a spot to love and tend on our ERUUF grounds. Many thanks to the volunteers who show up to mulch, weed, trim and beautify on "Pride of Place" Saturday. Many thanks to the intrepid lawn mowers and debris blowers. It takes each of us, in our own way, to keep our grounds welcoming.

Next Pride of Place work day is Saturday, October 10.

Denominational Affairs by Nancy Henley

The Larger Unitarian Universalist Community The Third Annual Association Sunday The theme of our third Association Sunday is Growing Our Diversity will be celebrated at ERUUF on October 11, 2009. A national poll of Unitarian Universalists (UUs) was used to set priorities for projects to be funded by Association Sunday 2009. Using this collaborative feedback, the programs to be supported by your generous contributions have been selected. The following initiatives represent the top choices: Expand the Building the World We Dream About curriculum and associated resources and training.

Support congregations that are working to create a Unitarian Universalism that is racially, culturally, and economically diverse; a part of this support will be in the form of grants.

Enable UU congregations and districts to minister effectively to youth and young adults who identify as people of color or multiracial, and to their families, in the areas of spiritual development, racial/cultural identity development, and leadership development. ERUUF’s Generosity Sunday offering for October will go to the UUA’s Association Sunday priorities. Unitarian Universalist Community of Central North Carolina Big news locally! The newest cluster of congregations in the Thomas Jefferson District is the Unitarian Universalist Community of Central North Carolina (UUCCNC). Representatives of the ten congregations in our area have met bi-monthly since February to develop the organization, set priorities, and begin work. The highest priority, improving communication among the congregations, has been addressed by develop-ing a website www.uuccnc.org. The site has announcement and calendar functions and links to each con-gregation’s website. If you would like to post an event on the UUCCNC calendar, please contact office@eruuf.org. The mission of the UUCCNC:

We are forward thinking, committed Unitarian Universalists representing the interde-pendent and independent congregations of Central North Carolina.

We come together to grow our Unitarian Universalist Denomination by sharing our re-sources and ideas. Through our partnerships we will grow our community and its impact, and through working together, we will grow out individual congregations.

We come together in community to focus on communicating our principles, promoting our congregations, networking and sharing our efforts while always reflecting out Unitarian Universalist values and working together to grow the beloved community.

Contact us at denomaff@eruuf.org or leave a message at the Office at (919) 489-2575.

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October 2009 Currents

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October 2009 Currents

Clicking is More Than Afgans

If you attended Services on Connections Fair Sunday, you got a chance to see the 8 afghans that Clicking for a Cause created for the Durham Crisis Response Center. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of that effort. Afghans are our signature community project, and we as-semble between 18-24 block afghans each year. But did you know that Clickers create a whole lot more? So far this year, we’ve created 223 items for donation, including blan-kets, sweaters and caps for babies; healing shawls; scarves and hats for adults; chemotherapy caps for cancer patients; baby dedication blankets; booties, blankets and hats for pre-mature infants; and lap afghans. That’s a whole lot of Clickin’ going on! Please join us. We meet twice a month in the ERUUF CARE Building: 2nd Wednesday between 6:30 – 8:30 pm and 3rd Thursday, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm. Questions? Pick up our brochure at the Care Ministries table in the Fellowship Hall, or contact the ERUUF Office at office@eruuf.org or (919) 489-2575

ERUUF Book Club 7:30pm - 9:30pm

Library, CARE Building Oct. 20, 2009: Something for the Pain, Paul Sustin Nov. 17, 2009: Drinking Coffee Elsewhere, ZZ Packard Jan. 19, 2010: Whatever Happened to Jacy Farrow, Ceil Cleveland

We meet the third Tuesday of the month in the Library. Contact the ERUUF Office at office@eruuf.org or (919) 489-2575

Volunteering

Kudos to our September 19th Highway Pick-up Volun-teers: Jody Kahn, Allison Criscenzo, Pat Yonaitis, Patty Smith-Overman, Peter Romeyn, Beth Harvat and Steph Dawning. We gathered 15 bags of trash, marking ERUUF's 20th year of Highway Pick-up Service!

Thanks to Richard Laxar who donated his time, skill and materials and built a new cover for the storm drain in the front parking lot.

New volunteers Needed for Library

The ERUUF Library is a small lending library for the congregation to use for study or pleasure. During 2009, we have been working to catalog books online and create consistent labeling for ease of borrowing. To finish the project, we need a few helpers. It requires just a one-time commitment of 2 or 3 hours, reasonably good handwrit-ing, and willingness to follow precise instructions and maybe get a little dusty. If you'd like to make a very brief commitment that will have a long-term impact, contact the ERUUF Office at office@eruuf.org or (919) 489-2575

Community Outreach

Covenant Groups and Chalice Circles

Covenant Groups are ongoing small groups of 8-10 people who gather twice a month for spiritual exploration, reflec-tion, mutual support, and service. Each group develops a covenant about how they will relate to one another and function as a group. Each group is led by a trained facilitator. We are currently filling openings in ongoing Covenant Groups that meet on Monday and Tuesday evenings, as well as starting a new Tuesday evening Covenant Group. Chalice Circle meetings follow a covenant group for-mat but meet only once a month from Oct to May, and end after 8 sessions. A new Chalice Circle is forming that will meet at ERUUF on the first Sunday of the month from 7 to 9 pm. The first session is October 4. To sign up or ask questions, stop by the Covenant Group/Chalice Circle information table during Coffee Hour, or contact the ERUUF Office at office@eruuf.org or (919) 489-2575

Wednesday Evening Programs

Mid-week programming is a widespread practice in larger Unitarian Universalist congregations. It involves a shared meal and a simple evening worship service, followed by classes and other activities for all ages. We are eager to move ahead on mid-week programs at ERUUF as recom-mended in the Vision Quest Report. We think a January, 2010 start date is feasible, and will begin planning this fall. If you're interested in any aspect of Wednesday eve-ning programs, please contact the ERUUF Office at of-fice@eruuf.org or (919) 489-2575

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October 2009 Currents

Upcoming Ecotours Create ties of peace and friendship with people in San Ramon, Nicaragua during the ERUUF and Friends Cul-tural Immersion Ecotour (February 14-21, 2010) spon-sored by Sister Communities of San Ramon, Nicaragua (SCSRN). Experiences include picking coffee (Cafe San Ramon), hiking through the rain forest to see endangered howler monkeys and tropical and migratory birds, visits to primary schools to carry out educational programs, five musical performances, lodging at Finca Esperanza Verde (FEV), winner of many international awards for sustain-able tourism, terrific meals made with produce from the lodge's organic garden, relaxing in the yoga pavilion, and talks by civic leaders on social-political-economic topics. Tourism in this rural area in the highlands of central Nica-ragua, brings opportunities for small businesses, artists, musicians, and for guest house families. Your visit makes dreams possible for people in San Ramon! Contact Lonna Harkrader, trip leader, care of the ERUUF Office at of-fice@eruuf.org or (919) 489-2575. Visit the FEV web site, www.fincaesperanzaverde.org Durham Academy, East Chapel Hill High School, NC School of Science and Math, and NC State are all visiting San Ramon this year on ecotours.

Crafts and Collectibles from San Ramon

Crafts are a way people around the world support them-selves. Your purchase of a small item priced at $5-15 pro-vides for a craft producing mother to feed her children a meal or to buy them school supplies. SCSRN is offering a medley of crafts packaged in boxes that you may pur-chase for $100 (small), $200 (medium), $300 (large) or $400 (extra large). Take the box with you to meetings, school and work and when you have sold all the goodies inside, come back and purchase another box. This project will bring a smile to your face and to the faces of our craft making friends in San Ramon all the day long.

Earth Friendly Gift Giving By Audrey Green

In 2006, our family made a commitment to find ways to make changes in our lives that would benefit the earth. Since then, we have: cancelled junk mail, focused our food consumption on local products, limited our purchases of unnecessary goods, set up rain barrels, created a compost for food scraps, purchased a hybrid car, switched to 80% biodiesel for our other car; use only reusable shopping bags, hang 90% of our laundry to dry, replaced inefficient windows and doors, installed window shades, installed a new high-energy rated HVAC system, have learned to enjoy vaca-tioning at home and explored earth friendly gift giving. Of all these efforts, the most fun has involved finding new ways to spend our gift-giving dollars for goods and ser-vices that benefit the earth. Here are some ideas:

1. Find stores that specialize in earth friendly items. TWIG near Whole Foods in Chapel Hill is a great place to start. We love to give their laundry/dryer balls – which not only reduce energy use, but also minimize the need for laundry cleansing agents.

2. Put together earth friendly gift packages. For Christ-mas 2007, we created “earth kits” for friends and family (cost around $25 each ). Each kit included: 1 flourescent bulb, a bps-free water bottle, a plastic reusable Chinese take-out container, a reusable shopping bag, a bar of fair-trade organic chocolate, a certificate for planting a tree in a national park (from a donation we made to the Arbor Society), and a research sheet about how these items would benefit the earth. We got rave reviews on these.

3. Regifting. This is important to avoid filling up the world with more and more consumer items. We label items and putting them in a “gift cupboard” in our home.

4. Home-made gifts. Our daughter has for years made gifts. Nifty Gifty at ERUUF has always gotten her off to a good start each holiday, but she has also loved making beaded key rings, turning favorite art into gift cards, and making soy candles and soap.

5. Gifts in jars. One year, I got together with two friends and made “mason jar” gifts. We filled jars (dry soup in-gredients, hot chocolate makings, risotto makings, etc.), then wrapped each jar in cloth, tied with cord, and deco-rated with candy sticks or wooden mixing spoons.

6. Wrap gifts in cloth. Use cloth for gift wrapping rather than paper and use cloth ribbon to tie up the gift. Com-municate to the gift recipient that they can reuse this cloth and ribbon, saving on paper and tape. For a little some-thing extra, stick a single cut flower under the ribbon.

Witness for Peace Travel Scholarship Fundraiser

International Day of the World's Indigenous People was celebrated at ERUUF August 9 with a rice and bean din-ner (3rd annual) and program focused on immigration reform. We thank ERUUFians who volunteered to pro-vide music, cook, clean up and more including: Richard and Brianna Smith-Overman, Kate Young, Candace Carraway, Ed Norman, Pam Sobek, Barbara and Jonathan Sheline, James Naquin, and Richard and Lonna Harkrader. The event raised $2,175 to provide two schol-arships for travel with Witness for Peace-Southeast to Oaxaca, Mexico in June, 2010 to study the Roots of Migration.

S AV E T H E D AT E !

October 2009 Currents

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Conversations Toward A Better World

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2009

Place: Fellowship Hall At ERUUF

Time: 9:15 am – 2:30 pm (with lunch)

The Social Justice committees of ERUUF and of the Community Church of Chapel Hill are collaborating to create this workshop, which will look at social justice work in the broadest sense. A grant from the ERUUF foundation has allowed us to bring in UUWorld columnist Doug Muder as keynote speaker, and SUUSI favorite Greg Greenway as our musical inspiration. For more information and to register: contact the ERUUF Office at office@eruuf.org or (919) 489-2575

ERUUF Annual Family Halloween Party!

Wednesday, October 28th, 6:30 PM

Little Ghosts and Goblins will play games, makes crafts and parade through the Care Building for Treats. Teens, and all who love HALLOWEEN, will man the tables, hand out the treats, then stay for a scary movie! To join the FUN, (or to suggest a scary movie) contact the ERUUF Office at office@eruuf.org or (919) 489-2575. Sign up at Coffee Hour to volunteer. Helpers and snacks needed!

Cafe ERUUF is Back!

Join us for the first cafe of the 2009-2010 season on Saturday, October 10, in the Fellowship Hall. Cafe ERUUF is a great way to get to know the folks who sit next to you in the service week after week. Bring something to share at our potluck dessert at 7:00 p.m; entertainment begins at 7:30. If you would like to per-form (sing, dance, play an instrument, juggle, do magic tricks, regale us with jokes, read us your own or some-one else's writing), contact the ERUUF Office at office@eruuf.org or (919) 489-2575

Cafe ERUUF is a coffeehouse for performers of all ages, abilities, and interests. It provides a warm, supportive atmosphere for performers and a delightful time for audience members of all ages. Bring your family, and spend an evening with friends old and new! We hope to see you there.

Child Dedication Ceremony All Souls Day Service, November 1

A Child Dedication Ceremony is a uniquely Unitarian Universalist naming ceremony which offers parents the opportunity to have their child blessed by their family, our ministers and the congregation. During this cere-mony, the family and congregation commit to help the child to grow in the ways of truth, service, goodness and love. If you would like to have your child dedicated at our All Souls Day service on November 1 or would like more information, please contact Holly McKinney, Acting Director of Religious Education, hmckinney@eruuf.org by October 25.

Interfaith Conversations

Durham Congregations In Action is sponsoring a series of interfaith conver-sations in October about the character of Joseph in the Book of Genesis and in the Qur'an. Time: Thursdays 7 - 8 pm Date: Oct. 8 - 29 Place: Epworth United Methodist Church 3002 Hope Valley Rd., Durham Registration is needed by October 1, but is free and open to the public. The study discussions will be very conver-sational and participatory, with local ministers and leaders from Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith-traditions offer-ing initial comments and questions, but not lectures. Some reflection material from each tradition will be pro-vided, but participants are encouraged to obtain and read the Joseph/Yusuf texts from the Book of Genesis in the Christian Old Testament or Bereshith in the Hebrew Bi-ble, and from the Qur'an (Surah 12). Suggested supple-mental readings: Inquiring of Joseph: Getting to Know a Biblical Character Through the Quran (Interfaces Series) - John Kaltner Joseph - Claus Westermann Genesis: A Translation and Commentary - Robert Alter Joseph and His Brothers - Thomas Mann For more information, or to register for the study, call (919)-688-2036 or email dcia@dcia.org. You can also learn more about this study on the Web at www.dcia.org/docs/2009JosephFlyer1.pdf.

October 2009 Currents

October 2009 - Calendar of Events 1 Choir Rehearsal, 7 - 9 pm, Sanctuary Social Justice Committee, 7 - 9 pm, Room 1 3 Conversations toward a Better World: A Social Justice Workshop with Doug Muder, Keynote Speaker, and music from Greg Greenway, 9:15 am - 2:30 pm (w/lunch -$5), Fellowship Hall

Beatles Rock Band! It’s a game! It’s Karaoke! It’s Intergenerational FUN! 6 - 9 pm Fellowship Hall 4 Sunday Worship, 9:15 am and 11:15 am, Sanctuary 20’s AND 30’s Group, after 2nd service Middle School Youth Group, 4 - 6 pm, Room 7

5 Chimes Rehearsal. 6:45 pm, Music Room, Sanctuary Bldg. 7 Seasoned Citizens, 10:30 am - Noon, Room 4/5, CARE Bldg. Adult Ed. Class: UU History, 7 - 9 pm, Registration required. Prompt Writing, 7:00 pm, Room 1, CARE Bldg.

8 Choir Rehearsal, 7 - 9 pm, Sanctuary ERUUF Men’s Group, 7 - 9 pm, Library 10 Eno River Buddhist Community Saturday Morning of Mindfulness Humanist Group, 3 - 4:30 pm, Rooms 4/5 Café ERUUF, 7 - 11 pm, Fellowship Hall

11 Sunday Worship, 9:15 am and 11:15 am, Sanctuary ERUUF Christian Fellowship, 4 - 5:30 pm, Straube Chapel 12 Chimes Rehearsal, 6:45 pm, Music Room 13 Team Generosity, 7 - 11 pm, Room 2

14 ERUUF Seniors, 11:30 am, Room 4/5 Bridge to Fellowship, 1:30 pm, Commons Room Adult Ed. Class: Veiled Reality: What is Beyond Quantum Mechanics, 7 - 9 pm, Registration Required. Clicking for a Cause, 6:30 pm, Library, CARE Bldg. Adult Ed. Class: Study Group: Thich Nhat Hanh’s Anger, 7 - 8:30 pm, Room 1, Registration required. 15 Clicking for a Cause, 11:30 am, Room 4/5. Choir Rehearsal, 7 - 9 pm, Fellowship Hall 18 Sunday Worship, 9:15 am and 11:15 am, Sanctuary 20’s and 30’s Group, after 2nd service Newcomer Orientation, 12:30 pm, Straube Chapel Adult Ed Class: Harvest the Power: Developing Lay Leadership, 1 - 3 pm, Room 4/5; Registration required. Middle School Youth Group, 4 - 6 pm, Room 7 20 Board of Trustees, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm, Rooms 4/5 Book Club, 7 - 9 pm, Room 6

21 Denominational Affairs, 7 - 9:00 pm, Room 1 22 Choir Rehearsal, 7 - 9 pm, Sanctuary 25 Sunday Worship, 9:15 am and 11:15 am, Sanctuary By-Laws Task Force, 1 - 3 pm, CARE Bldg., (12:15 pm brunch) ERUUF Christian Fellowship, 4 - 5:30 pm, Straube Chapel 26 Chimes Rehearsal, 6:45 pm, Music Room 27 Team Generosity, 7 - 9 pm, Room 2 28 ERUUF Seniors, 11:30 am, Room 4/5 Bridge to Fellowship, 1:30 pm, Commons Room Halloween Party, 5 - 8 pm, Fellowship Hall & CARE Bldg.

29 Choir Rehearsal, 7 - 9 pm, Sanctuary Adult Ed Class: Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions, 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm, Registration Required

River Rhythm Special Classes

Kids’ Drumming 10/2, 6 - 6:30 pm Commons Room, CARE Bldg. Intro to Drumming 10/9, 10/16, 10/30; 6 - 7 pm Commons Room, CARE Bldg.

Mondays Eno River Buddhist Community 7:30 pm, Commons Room, CARE Bldg.

Fridays River Rhythms 6 - 8:30 pm

12 October 2009 Currents

Non Profit Org. US Postage

PAID Permit No. 764

Durham, NC 27707

Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 4907 Garrett Road Durham, NC 27707 mail date: Sept. 30, 2009

Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

4907 Garrett Rd. Phone: 919-489-2575 Durham, NC 27707 web: www.eruuf.org Office Hours: Sun.: 8:30 am - 1:00 pm Mon.-Thurs.: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

ERUUF Staff: Rev. Deborah Cayer Acting Lead Minister (dcayer@eruuf.org) Rev. J.D. Benson Consulting Asst. Minister (revjd@eruuf.org) Dr. Kevin Badanes Director of Music (kbadanes@eruuf.org) Kacey Zucchino Director of Membership Development (kzucchino@eruuf.org) Holly McKinney Acting Director of Religious Education (hmckinney@eruuf.org) Melissa Gjestvang-Lucky Youth Ministry Coordinator (youthministry@eruuf.org)

Daniel Trollinger Director of Administration (dtrollinger@eruuf.org) Mary Berry Bookkeeper (bookkeeper@eruuf.org) Jeff Bergman Office Assistant (office@eruuf.org)

David Scheidt Facilities Assistant (facilities@eruuf.org) Ellen Beechhold Religious Education Assistant (reassistant@eruuf.org)

Mission Statement: The mission of the Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is to transform lives by building a free and inclusive covenantal religious

community of spirit, service, justice, and love.

Publication Deadlines

Sunday Bulletin: every Wednesday by 5:00 pm Email to bulletin@eruuf.org

Currents: every third Sunday by 4:00 pm

Email to Currents@eruuf.org Other Information

To reserve rooms for meetings/activities, email: office@eruuf.org

When sending these emails to the office it is very helpful to put

your Committee or group name in the subject line. For the bulletin or Currents please add the publication date.

Board of Trustees Christine Amabile, President Sue Coon, Trustee Carmen Graffagnino, Vice President Albert Hardy, Trustee Beth Harvat, Treasurer Dan Grandstaff, Trustee Cheryl Turney, Secretary Larry Reed, Trustee Bob Wagner, Trustee

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED