UUMANTimes December 2014 1

Since becoming a minister, I am sel-dom home for Christmas until Christmas Day at the soonest. Don’t feel sorry for me. I love Christmas Eve in church.

We Unitarian Universalists work so touchingly hard at the winter holidays observing our own quirky faith while respecting out-of-town dear ones who worry about their dear ones (us) churching in a God-optional zone. We’re not opposed to Christmas Eve tradition, as detractors suggest, but we are a diverse tribe. The word liturgy means work of the people. When Unitarian Universalists are the people in charge of Christmas Eve liturgy, tradition gets a makeover. In minister school we had a favorite dining spot for special occasions: Ca-Am, the sumptuous Thai res-taurant on Vine Street in North Berkeley. One even-ing, someone’s birthday I’d guess, I ordered the green papaya salad. In a single bite, green papaya salad shot to the top of my foodie list headed The Best Thing I ever Ate, surpassing my mother’s maca-roni and cheese. Instead of moving to Thailand, which seemed a dras-tic thing to do in romantic pursuit of a food item, I moved to South Carolina, where I commenced hun-gering for green papaya salad for nearly two dec-ades. Once I attempted to make some from a papaya that wasn’t quite so green. Don’t try that at home. Last May at a Thai restaurant in Warner Robins I thought my hunger was finally about to be fed. Green papaya salad was on the menu. Alas, apologized the server, no one had been able to get to the Buford Farmers Market that week. The Buford Farmers Market. Of course. One recent Saturday I walked out of that legendary food palace cradling (some might say cuddling) a flawless green papaya. To my surprise, recipes for green papaya salad abound on the internet. I went with the authen-tic Thai rendition. It was delicious. Tart-sweet, crunchy, sparkly, but something was missing. I checked the ingredient list. Nope, all there. Then I figured it out. What was missing was that

evening at Ca-Am when we ate and laughed and loved for a while in each other’s fleeting company. In a matter of months we would graduate and disperse, but for the time being, we were together. I’d like one day to create a living memory of green papaya salad. Even the Thai author of the “authentic” recipe admitted there are local interpre-tations. Replicating my mother’s mac and cheese would be easier. GPS, the vegetable version, doesn’t keep well overnight, possibly inspiration for a potluck offering. Food was the star of winter holiday celebrations in my growing-up family. The women in my family were outrageously good cooks, although since we were New Englanders, the most “exotic” we got was French onion dip. I have friends whose worst memory of the holidays is enduring the relatives’ dreadful cooking year after year. I also have friends whose holidays have been dreadful for far worse reasons. Be kind to everyone you meet in this season. We just never know, do we? Merry Christmas, blessed winter holidays, and pass the green papaya salad. I spent two lovely Christ-mases in New Mexico. Does anyone have a recipe for sopaipillas compuestos?

IN THE INTERIM: Merry Christmas and Happy Green Papaya Salad

W W W . U U M A N . O R G 1 1 4 2 0 C R A B A P P L E R D , R O S W E L L , G A 3 0 0 7 5 7 7 0 - 9 9 2 - 3 9 4 9

December 2014

IN THE INTERIM: MERRY CHRISTMAS

AND HAPPY GREEN

PAPAYA SALAD ............................. 1

ORDINATION OF KIM PALMER ......... 2

HEART & HAND HAITIAN GARDENS . 4

CENTERING AT UMMAN ................. 4

LIFE CELEBRATIONS ...................... 5

LIFE EVENTS COMMITTEE .............. 5

INTERIM COMMITTEE—UUMAN’S

SHOES........................................ 6

ART HISTORY CLASS ..................... 6

ART SHOW .................................. 6

FROM THE GARDEN ...................... 7

A MONTH OF SUNDAYS................. 8

SHARING THE PLATE ..................... 8

MORE DECEMBER EVENTS ............ 8

MCY NEWS ................................ 9

IN THIS ISSUE

2 December 2014 UUMANTimes

Congratulations, Reverend Kim Palmer! In a joyful celebration, the UUMAN congregation ordained our own Kim Palmer as a Unitarian Universalist minister on November 23, 2014. As explained in last month’s newsletter (http://www.uuman.org/pdf/UUMANTimes-November2014.pdf), we have been following Kim’s journey to the ministry over the past four years, as she evolved from UUMAN mem-ber and professional chemical engineer, to seminary student and intern, and now, to ordained minister in fellowship with the UUA.

UUMAN was eagerly antici-pating its first-ever ordination in the Sanctuary, and this moving, meaningful event surpassed expectations. As Rev. Cynthia explained in her welcoming remarks, an ordi-nation calls for some pomp and circumstance, even for UU’s. You can follow along in the Order of Service, de-signed by Margot Bogue.

The music provided by Music Director Huu Mai and the UUMAN Chal-ice Choir expressed the contemplative spirituality of the occasion.

There were many participants in this unique rite of passage, includ-ing UUMAN members. Linda and Lawton Etheridge performed the Chalice Lighting. Diantha Horton, whose husband Bill (a former UU minister) is credited with challenging Kim to start considering a call to the vocation, delivered a reading. Dave Hudson led the offertory.

Kim’s family, friends, and colleagues from Candler School of Theolo-gy and her residency in the Emory health care system; representa-tives from the UUA; and several UU ministers, from both near and far, had roles in the event, as they have had throughout the past years of Kim’s process.

Rev. Greg Ward, a former minister at UUMAN, came in from his current home in California. As an early mentor of Kim’s, he accepted her invitation to give the sermon.

The sermon was followed by the Act of Ordination. John Wheeler, President of UUMAN’s Board of Trustees, formally asked Kim if she was ready to

enter upon the ministry. On her assent, John then led the whole con-gregation in saying the words of ordination together, sending her “. . . forth into ministry . . . to embody the principles of our faith and above all to serve the world with compassion and love.”

Rev. Terry Davis, from the North-west UU congregation in Sandy Springs (http://www.nwuuc.org ), of-fered words and a poem during the conferral of stole while Kim’s life partner, Marty Harvey, presented Kim with the stole, which is symbolic of her new status as an ordained minister.

It is worth noting that Kim had learned that the rate of separa-tion and divorce among semi-nary students is extremely high, possibly because the students tend to grow quickly into a new, challenging and absorbing world, and some-times in the process grow away from their partners. Yet Marty and Kim explain that their un-ion has grown stronger during this transformation, because Marty was glad to participate in it also, practically, spiritually and deeply, so that they could journey together.

Following the Presentation of the Stole, Rev. Jan Taddeo from the UU congregation of Gwinnett (http:// www.uucg.org ) led the next step: the Laying on of Hands. As Rev. Taddeo spoke of love, support, and connection, she took Kim’s hand, then invited those close to Kim to place their hands as well, and finally the

whole congregation formed an interconnected web, ultimately linked to and offering their blessing on the newly ordained Rev. Palmer.

Ordination of Kim Palmer

UUMANTimes December 2014 3

Another important step in the UU ordination ceremony was the Charge to the Minister. Rev. Jeff Jones, whom you may remember as an interim at UUMAN many years ago, and who is currently Emerson UU’s minister (http://ww.emersonuu.org) gave some humorous and serious messages about the challenges Kim will inevitably face as she goes forward in ministry. Kim was officially welcomed into or-dained ministry by Rev. Joan Armstrong Davis, who serves as a com-munity minister affiliated with Northwest UU Congregation. Then Kim’s sister-in-law, Caren Connelly, extinguished the chalice as Kim ended the service with a benediction.

It was a wonderful and well-attended service, followed by a delicious buffet and happy mingling in Fellowship Hall. A huge thank-you to all the volunteers who made it all happen, from the generous contribu-tors who brought Rev. Ward in from the west coast; the numerous participants, both lay and clergy, who shared their love and experi-ence; the Hospitality Committee who made the facilities and food so elegant and enjoyable; the members of the Ordination Committee who brought off the whole event flawlessly; and all the family, friends, and UUMAN congregation who have been with Kim through-out this beautiful journey.

Kim’s path continues, as she seeks permanent employment as a chaplain in a health care or hospice setting. Her particular calling is to minister to individuals and families in crisis. It is work that she feels privileged to do. There will be more milestones in her future, such as attaining Final Fellowship with the UUA after three years of working as a minister.

UUMAN’s confidence in Kim, and best wishes for her, will accompany her all the way through as she grows in her ministry.

— Article by Carole Herman

Ordination of Kim Palmer (continued)

4 December 2014 UUMANTimes

Heart and Hand

UUSC ( Unitarian Universalist Service Committee) is focusing this year on providing tire gardens for Haitian fami-lies. UUMAN has promised to be a part of this effort by raising funds for sever-al tire garden kits to be presented to Haitian families. This will enable peo-

ple to grow their own food and hopefully have excess veg-etables to sell at local markets.

In support of this effort we have obtained some hand-made bead jewelry from Haiti. The beads are made from recycled paper, hand rolled and decorated by Haitians. We also have holiday ornaments made from flattened 55 gallon oil drums made in Haiti. Your pur-chase benefits not only the Haitians who made the orna-ments and jewelry but also the tire garden project.

Items range in price $5 to $50. The less expensive items would make great stocking stuffers for young or old. The more expensive jewelry is exquisite and would make a lovely gift. These items will be available after service in Fellowship Hall on Sundays, at Coffee House, and other occasions.

On Sunday, December 7th, we will be having a special event, Heart and Hand Market Day. Many UUMANites are busy making items to be sold to benefit the Haiti Garden Project. The jewelry and ornaments will be available as well as pottery, plants, herbs, granola, sachets, crocheted and knitted items, jam and jellies, to name just a few.

We would welcome your donations to be sold at Market Day. Please contact Linda Etheridge for more information at Please put Market Day, December 7th, on you calendar. Bring your holiday shopping list, checks or cash, and an open heart to help the less fortunate families in Haiti.

— Jan Wilson

Saturday mornings at UUMAN, 9:30 to 10:30

Please come at 9:10 if it’s your first time for some basic instruction

Think that only Buddhists, Hindus and maybe Sufi’s know how to meditate? Think again. A group of UUMANites attended a workshop to learn a form of meditation called Centering Prayer in Septem-ber. Since then, they and some others who couldn’t be at the work-shop, have been enjoying practicing it twice a day at home (when humanly possible) and also on Saturday mornings together at UUMAN. Though the official name of the practice includes the word prayer, it is very similar to several forms of meditation from eastern traditions, most notably TM (Transcendental Meditation) and Dzog-chen (an advanced Tibetan Buddhists practice).

In the last half of the 20th Century, this method was adapted from early writings of Christian mystics (the Desert Fathers and Mothers, St. Theresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, to name a few) but

also informed by the teaching methods of some of the eastern spir-itual teachers who have been visiting the western world for the last couple of hundred years. If you consider yourself a theist, this meth-od will be perfect for you, but it can also easily be adapted to suit your needs if you are any type of non-theist (humanist, agnostic, atheist, Buddhist, etc.). All are welcome to come and sit with us, as long as the form of meditation you are practicing is a silent one.

It’s easy to learn. We ask first timers to come early and be in your seat by 9:10 for some basic instructions. The meditation itself will begin promptly at 9:30 and last until 10:00. Please be in your seats on time. Those who wish to may stay after for 30 to 45 minutes of discussion about our experiences.

It will be helpful (though not mandatory) if you can email Carolyn Bommarito if you intend to come so we can judge how many chairs to set up in our circle.

—Carolyn Bommarito

Centering at UUMAN—Another Opportunity for Silent Meditation

UUMANTimes December 2014 5

Date Celebration

12/2 Amelia J. of the MCY program is celebrating a birthday

12/9 Presley C. of the MCY program is celebrating a birthday

12/12 Ryan Vidal is celebrating a birthday

12/13 Dominic Read is celebrating a birthday

12/15 Carole Herman is celebrating a birthday

Maggie M. of the MCY program is celebrating a birthday

Duco vdB. of the MCY program is celebrating a birthday

12/16 Lucy K. of the MCY program is celebrating a birthday

12/17 Joaquin F. of the MCY program is celebrating a birthday

Bruce Langston is celebrating a birthday

12/18 Karen S. of the MCY program is celebrating a birthday

12/23 McPatti Langston is celebrating a birthday

12/27 Nathan S. of the MCY program is celebrating a birthday

12/28 Lachlan K. of the MCY program is celebrating a birthday

Life Celebrations

We want to commemorate the happy occasions in the lives of our

UUMAN members and other friends of UUMAN. We are looking for

Naming Ceremonies, Graduations, Marriages, Anniversaries, Retire-

ments, and Birthdays.

Please submit the information about your special day, in the month

prior to the event, to Claire Sullivan at

Running out of time to shop for the holidays? Have no idea what to

buy me? Dreading the thought of returns?

These are just a few of the reasons to remember to use Life Events

for giving as well as receiving this holiday season. Suggest to your

friends and family that you would prefer they make a donation to

UUMAN through Life Events Gifting in your honor instead of giving

you another tie, or paper weight, or seasonal jewelry. We will even

write the thank you note for you!!

If you have any questions about Life Events Gifting, please do not

hesitate to contact me and avoid the holiday rush!!

.

Life Events Committee

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

6 December 2014 UUMANTimes

Once there was a baby girl, and her parents

called her Uuman. As an infant, her needs

were simple; nourishment, sleep, love and

protection from the elements. She wore no

shoes, for she did not yet walk. Her parents

provided all.

When Uuman began to walk, she needed

shoes to protect her small feet from the sharp

stones along the path she traveled with her parents. She did not care

how they looked; all that was needed was space to grow, which she

did very quickly.

Soon Uuman was a small girl, her parents’ little princess. And so they

bought her sparkly, pink princess shoes. She loved these shoes. She

could rule her world in these shoes! When she outgrew them, they

had to be replaced with an identical pair, for she would otherwise be

most unhappy. Uuman’s parents began to find the princess shoes a

little boring, but they indulged her because they loved her so much.

As Uuman grew out of her princess phase, she began to notice that

those around her had many different types of shoes. Some she liked,

and some she considered weird. She now had different shoes for

different occasions, and found this to be useful, although she still had

a favorite, comfortable pair.

Adolescence came to Uuman and brought with it the usual changes.

Her taste in shoes changed too. She wanted boots and high heels, flip

-flops and running shoes, sandals and flats. Sometimes she wore her

friend’s shoes, which brought her a new perspective along with a little

discomfort. Sometimes her parents did not approve of her shoes, and

truth be told, there was a little conflict.

Now Uuman is a young woman. She has experienced the joy of a

beautiful pair of shoes, the comfort of a favorite, well-fitting pair, the

excitement and usefulness of diversity, and the insight of walking in

another’s shoes. She is able to look at her friends’ shoes and realize

that although their style might not be for her, they suit her friends

perfectly, and she can compliment them on their choices.

In the next couple of years, Uuman will be trying on many pairs of new

shoes. Some will be keepers, others not. But the trying on is neces-

sary to determine the fit and the best style for the occasion, so let us

support and encourage her in this endeavor. New shoes sometimes

need a little breaking in, so let us be patient with her when the shoe

pinches a bit. New shoes also cost money, especially if they are of

lasting materials and soundly made, so let us support her a with a

contribution, if we can do so.

Let us walk with Uuman as she journeys, each in our different shoes,

but with the same destination in mind.

— Julia Fogel

French Desert and Wine

after an Art History lecture

The new class will cover American Artists

from

The Hudson River School

to the

Ash Can School

of Art

We meet the second Monday of each month from January to June

2015 ,7pm to 9pm, at the home of Jim Saunders and Annette

Pate. Let me know if you are interested in being a member of our

next Art History Class.

For more information, contact Jim Saunders at

The Annette Pate Painting Society

Presents their

Winter Art Show

at UUMAN

UUMAN benefits from all sales and the prices are reduced to give our

members a great deal.

Art makes the best gift.

Please enjoy the show and share your words of encouragement with

the artist.

Remember nothing is more encouraging than the phrase:

“I would like to buy your painting.”

U U M A N ’ S S H O E S

Y O U R I C O M : I N T E R I M C O M M I T T E E O N M I N I S T R Y

Art History Class

Art Show

UUMANTimes December 2014 7

Ageratum

Tibetan Prayer Flags

Newly Planted Pansies

F R O M T H E G A R D E N

Dear Fellow Gardeners (or potential gardeners):

This past month, we planted two white azaleas in honor of Kim Palm-er’s ordination. We also planted scores of pansies, 100 tulip bulbs, and two junipers. The garden will be quiet now for the next couple of months. We’ll meet again in March. A UUMAN announcement will be sent out the week before as a reminder.

Here are a few pictures taken within the last couple of weeks.

— Claire Sullivan

Fall Colors Appearing

White Mums

The Second Azalea Planted in Kim’s Honor

One of the Azaleas Planted in Kim’s Honor

8 December 2014 UUMANTimes

A Month of Sundays

UUMAN’s 50/50 recipient for November went to the Unitarian Universalist

Service Committee, and we collected $207.88.

December’s 50/50 will be the International Rescue Committee (IRC).

The International Rescue Committee helps people whose lives and liveli-

hoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain

control of their future. IRC teams provide health care, infrastructure, learning

and economic support to people in 40 countries, with special programs

designed for women and children. Every year, the IRC resettles thousands of

refugees in 22 U.S. cities, including Atlanta. www.rescue.org

For more information about events, see the UUMAN Events

Calendar at www.uuman.org

ABOUT THE UUMANTIimes: The UUMANTimes is the newsletter of Unitarian

Universalist Metro Atlanta North (UUMAN), located at 11420 Crabapple

Road, Roswell, GA 30075. We welcome nearly all imaginable newsletter

submissions, and publish as many as possible. We go live with each issue

by the first Sunday of the month; deadline for submissions is typically close

of business on the 20th of the month proceeding the issue date, although

we have been known to accept submissions within a reasonable time before

publishing. Please email your news articles and artwork to Becky at

Date Topic Speaker

12/7/14 Five Smooth Stones

Theologian James Luther Adams wrote a famous essay called The Five Smooth Stones of Religious Liberalism—an ex-cellent summary of the core beliefs that Unitarian Universalists hold in common. We will also welcome UUMAN’s newest members.

Rev. Cynthia

Prescott

12/14/14 Our Time in Paradise

This talk will consider the questions “Can we live in harmony with the nature world?” and “Will capitalism decline as elders find their voice?”

Lay Speaker

Gus Hadorn

12/21/14 A Solstice Walk

How does Santa manage to deliver mil-lions of gifts on Christmas Eve, main-taining his smile and composure all the while. His support team: a few reindeer and a handful of diligent elves. Only an innocent child would swallow this prop-aganda…[from The Physics of Christ-mas]. A few stories of the season that don’t quite fit the traditional model.

Rev. Cynthia

Prescott

12/24/14 Christmas Eve at UUMAN

Music, reflections, and candlelight at 7:00 p.m. (There is also a Children’s service earlier at 5:00).

Rev. Cynthia

Prescott

12/28/14 We are Preachin' to the Wrong Choir

UU's have a unique message to give to the world, but who are we telling it to and who is hearing it?

Lay Speaker

Randy Blasch

Date Event

Humanism

2nd Sunday of

each month,

after the ser-

vice, in the

sanctuary.

21st Century Humanism focuses on the philoso-

phy of mankind as the center of all things, in-

forms members of Humanism's nature and histo-

ry, and emphasizes free and frank discussion of

the effect on humanity of past and present

events, safe from the influence of contravening

public opinion. For more information, contact

John Peltier at

Tuesdays at

10:00 a.m. to

12:00 in Dis-

covery Hall

Circle of Women We aim to develop a warm nurturing circle of trust where we can share ourselves and our lives.

Contact Kate Hudson or Linda Etheridge

Wednesdays

from 7:00 -

9:30 p.m.

UUMAN’s Painting Group

Come paint with us in a relaxed atmosphere with

a glass of wine. All are welcome. There is a fee

but half is donated to UUMAN.

Every Friday at

6:00 pm in Fel-

lowship Hall.

Bridge Group

Join us for Bridge! New players of any level of Bridge knowledge are welcome to join us. A 30-minute lesson by an expert Bridge player is of-fered for $5 for those who want to play but don’t know how or want to refresh their knowledge.

Weekly on

Wednesdays at

12:15

Daytimers

The Daytimers group discusses contemporary, thought-provoking topics such as current political issues or social trends that may affect everyone at some level. All are invited to attend. For infor-mation, contact Dan Ben-David at

More December Events

Sharing the Plate: 50-50 Sundays

HAPPY

HOLIDAYS!

Ministry with Children & youth

During this busy time of the year why not take some time for yourself while the young ones are safe & having fun with friends at UUMAN. Our Youth will take care of & play with their

younger friends (infants and children, 1 - 10 years).

Have your young ones join us for Holiday (Hanukkah, Solstice, Christmas & Kwanzaa) Crafts, Stories, Games, Movies, Dancing & More!

Meals & healthy snacks provided!

MCY CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS DECEMBER 2014

Nov 30 – MCY Council Meeting Dec 6 – Parents Morning Out Dec 7 – Winter Holiday Party! Dec 13 – Parents Night Out Dec 21 – Pageant Dress Rehearsal Dec 24 – Christmas Eve Family Service Dec 29 – LNFY Holiday Dinner/Party Dec 31 – New Year’s Eve Party

Holiday Bake Sale! Sunday December 7th

Stock Up on Yummy Holiday Goodies… Donations Welcome!

Please contact Anna Hamblen - annastamps@gmail.com

CONTACT TONIANN

Office Hours Tuesday 9.30am-3.30pm

Wednesday 9.30am-3.30pm Friday 9.30am-3.30pm

Sunday 9.30am-2.30pm

Office Telephone: (770) 992-3949 Email: dmcy@uuman.org

PARENTS MORNING OUT! SATURDAY DEC 6 (10.00am-2.00pm)

PARENTS NIGHT OUT! SATURDAY DEC 13 (6.00-10.00pm)

Ministry with Children & youth

MLK Weekend Activities

Sunday January 18th Mutigenerational

Worship followed by ‘Action Stations’

Monday January 19th March alongside civil

rights leadership in the Annual King Day Parade.

Next ‘Faith In Action’ Sunday January 18th 2015

Happy Birthday Dr. King!

Transformational Worship & Social Action for All Ages!

Holiday ‘Faith In Action’

This year, our youth are inviting us all to contribute to ‘Lost-N-Found Youth’. Lost-n-Found Youth (LNFY) is an Atlanta-based nonprofit corporation whose mission is to take homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youths to age 26 off the street, and transition them into more permanent housing. They operate a 24/7 hotline at 678-856-7825, a Youth Center, a 6-bed 90 day housing facility, and 3-6 month host home program. LNFY is Atlanta’s only nonprofit agency actively working to take homeless LGBTQ youth off the street. Find out more at http://lnfy.org/

Our goal is to add to the holiday spirit at the LNFY House by providing 6 youth with stockings filled with festive goodies! UUMAN folk of all ages are invited to be Santa’s special helpers to spread holiday joy. Please sign up to bring a stocking stuffer to church Dec 7-21.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CUPMeQdDGcNHzEqWfd347-2dVt597PzkRfxQbIPLjyA/edit?usp=sharing

Here are the dates for the different elements of the project;

Sundays Dec 7-21 – Collecting stocking donations at UUMAN Tuesday Dec 23 – A group will deliver the filled stockings Monday Dec 29 – Youth Group sponsors a holiday dinner/party at the Lost ’n Found Center.

Deck The Halls

Join your UUMAN friends and family for our annual

Winter Holiday Party

Sunday December 7th Bring a snack to share, a camera, and a gift for…

Santa!

New Year’s Eve Party!

We are hosting a New Year's Eve gathering at UUMAN! If you are

looking for a family-friendly event to see in the New Year, we'd love you to join us. The evening will be filled with food, fun, games, music and movies, as

we anticipate the start of 2015.

This is a multigenerational event and everyone is welcome. Join us for all or

part of the evening.

Please contact Kara Sweeney or Toniann Read if you have questions or

suggestions…

“Would You Like to Hold The Baby?”

Holiday Pageant 2014

It’s not too late to join the fun... We want YOU to participate!

ALL UUMAN’s (adults, children & youth) are invited & encouraged to join in the festive fun.

Pageant Groups meet on Sunday December 21st (10.50-11.30 am)

Dress Rehearsal Sunday Dec 21st (1.00 pm)

And be sure to join us for the

Christmas Eve Family Service Wednesday December 24th

Thanks to everyone who helped make the IRC Thanksgiving Dinner a huge success.

Our Interfaith Youth Group Rocks!