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Chalice and ChimesChalice and ChimesChalice and ChimesChalice and Chimes NewsletterNewsletterNewsletterNewsletter
May 2014
120 Park Street, Bangor, ME 04401-5024
Tel. 207-947-7009
[email protected] www.uubangor.org
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES ~ 10:00 AM
May 4 – Blessing of the Animals
As a way of acknowledging the importance of animals in our lives, we will be celebrating a Blessing of the Animals. All who wish to participate are asked to bring their beloved pets to be introduced and blessed. All pets should be either leashed or in cages. If wished, photos or stuffed animals may substitut-ed. All are invited to join in this dog, cat, bunny, fish, pet-filled ritual. This will be an intergenerational service.
Worship Leader and head ‘Blesser’: Rev. Becky Gunn; Worship Associates: Michele Caitlyn-Strout and Catherine Foxson; Lay Coordinator: Rissa Moore. The Choir will sing.
May 11 – Feminism and Motherhood
How has our concept of motherhood changed over the centuries? Does it still remain the idealized role for women or has it been minimized? Let us speak this morning about the ever-evolving role women and mothers play in our society.
Worship Leader: Rev. Becky Gunn; Worship Associate: Phyllis Havens; Lay Coordinator: Rissa Moore. The Choir will sing.
May 18 – Religious Education Sunday
The RE Community has been busy this year! Join us as we see what all of our Classes have been up to, take a moment to recognize our amazing volunteer teaching staff, and Bridge four of our Senior High Youth into Young Adulthood.
Worship Leader: Rev Becky Gunn & Karen Childs; Worship Associate: Rev Becky Gunn; Lay Coordinator: Vyvyenne Ritchie
May 25 – Memorial Day
Let us remember those who are no longer with us. Bring a photo or a memento and help create an altar as we honor those we have lost.
Worship Leader: Rev. Becky Gunn; Worship Associate: Laurie Cartier; Lay Coordinator: Vyvyenne Ritchie. Paul Riechmann will provide our music.
Ministerial MusingsMinisterial MusingsMinisterial MusingsMinisterial Musings
The penultimate Muse…
I have written a column for The Chalice and Chimes for almost every issue for six years, excluding only the months
I was on Sabbatical last year. I have tried to provide timely
and relevant topics. Never quite sure if I succeeded in that,
but I tried. As my next to last column, I thought I would
speak to doing what we need to do even when we don’t want
to do it. This is relevant because I have not always felt
inclined to write a column. I would rationalize that nobody
would miss it or that what I might say isn’t critical or valuable to your lives. But write
them I did. Why? It was part of my job, part of what I should do as your minister.
There are many things that we do that we don’t enjoy or want to do. I was changing my
bed linens the other day and was struck by the fact that I do this regularly, but I don’t like
to do it. This like so many household chores need to be done and so they get done. There
are things in all of our lives that need to get done, but that we don’t want to do. And, we
question that need.
My premise is that sometimes we do not do the things that we really need to do and use
those other ‘needful’ things as excuses for not doing what is necessary for us to live whole
lives, balanced lives or spiritual lives. In considering retirement I looked deeply into my
life and found that I was using my busyness going to all those needful meetings, writing
columns, reading and learning for sermon writing…I was using that to not address a
critical need in my life – my spiritual practice.
How can a minister not have a daily, deep spiritual practice? It might amaze you that I
am not unique among ministers. We get so busy with the daily minutia of ministry that
we stop doing what moved us into ministry in the first place. My point here is that I need
to spend time in the spirit, with the spirit in order to be more whole. And, I think that
is the case with most of us.
This is a true need. The need to foster the spirit. The need to become part of the whole
through spirit. The need to let the world exist as it is for a time and move to another
realm.
I ask that as a legacy of these columns that you each consider doing what is truly
necessary – build your spirit through the spiritual practice of your choice. There may
be nothing more important than this – you cannot be whole without a strong and vital
spiritual life.
Blessings on the whole you,
Rev. BeckyRev. BeckyRev. BeckyRev. Becky
May 2014 The Chalice and Chimes The Chalice and Chimes The Chalice and Chimes The Chalice and Chimes Page 2
May 2014 The Chalice and Chimes The Chalice and Chimes The Chalice and Chimes The Chalice and Chimes Page 3
Report for 6 Months ending
REVENUE
Actual Budget Actual - Budget
Pledge 78,505 80,175 (1,670)
Endowments 67,484 76,241 (8,757)
Fundraising 8,130 10,125 (1,995)
Plate & Non Pledge 6,616 4,425 2,191
Rental 4,685 3,750 935
Other Income 7,268 6,225 1,043
Fund Balance - 3,750 (3,750)
172,688 184,691 (12,003)
Revenue
over budget (12,003)
(under)
EXPENSES
Actual Budget Actual - Budget
Payroll 109,860 112,729 (2,869)
Building Utilities 21,889 19,781 2,108
Building Maint 17,022 25,020 (7,998)
Other Expenses 28,015 27,161 855
176,786 184,691 (7,905)
Expenses
over budget (7,905)
(under)
After 9 months the balance is: (4,098)
Our pledge income is lagging. Of course our heating costs are above normal. Income must increase if we are to have funds for our necessary expenses.
Respectfully submitted,
Rosemary Parsons
Treasurer
TREASURER’S REPORT
REVENUE AS OF 03/31/14
EXPENSES AS OF 03/31/14
About Our Newsletter
The Chalice and Chimes is published ten times a year (Sept-June). The deadline for submissions is the 14th day of each month. Contri-butions are solicited and should be sent to the Administrator/Editor at the church office. An email reminder is sent out to all member and friends on the church’s database mailing list, when the newsletter has been posted to the church website, where it may be viewed or down-loaded. It is also available in paper format on the table by the sanctuary entrance and by request to the Church Office.
Editorial Policy
Articles submitted for publication in the Chalice & Chimes must strive to include, in an unbiased way, only that information that is consistent with the UU faith. Articles should deal with issues of a spiritual nature meant to inspire, encourage, educate, or inform. Alt-hough every effort will be made to be inclusive, the Editor reserves the right to determine which articles are accepted for publication. The Editor has the right to edit for space, availability, libelous re-marks, or unwarranted personal attacks. The Editor also reserves the right to refuse any item that may affect our Tax Exempt Status.
May 2014 The Chalice and Chimes The Chalice and Chimes The Chalice and Chimes The Chalice and Chimes Page 4
UUSB Shawl Ministry
UUSB’s Shawl Ministry was inspired by Janet Bristow and Victoria Galo who created the
original Shawl Ministry in 1998. Since March 2005 we have been knitting and crocheting
shawls and giving them to members of our congregation, friends, and family members who
need support. Shawls are given for joyous occasions, in times of sorrow or illness, to say
thank you, or to celebrate a life transition. Each shawl is created with intention and mind-
fulness, putting love, good wishes, and healing energy into each stitch, so that the recipient is wrapped in the
caring arms of our community. The design of the shawls varies, but is often in repeats of stitches in groups
of three, a number that is symbolic or sacred in many religions and cultures. Each shawl is blessed with an
appropriate prayer or poem; there is also symbolism in the colors of the shawls. As of March 2014, we have
presented 343 shawls.
New members are welcome to join us at any time! Don’t know how to knit or crochet? No matter, we will
teach you. We gather on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, in the Dorothy Memorial Hall, from
7:00 to 8:30 p.m. And if you can’t make it to meetings but love to knit or crochet, you can choose yarn from
our “stash” and donate the final product. It is a wonderful way to contribute to the on-going "weaving togeth-
er" of our church community.
There is one way everyone can contribute to the Shawl Ministry – by letting us know when someone you
know needs a shawl. Please don’t hesitate to ask … it continues to amaze us that there is almost always a
shawl ready, in just the right color and style, whenever there is a need. We are grateful for the spiritual and
financial support of UUSB. Our yarn stash is an inspiration to us all and we love to show it off! Each shawl
costs between $10 and $20 for the yarn; donations are welcome anytime. If you have any questions please
contact Cathy Elliott. Blessed Be!
Special Collections Reminders:
The second Sunday of the month is Food Cupboard Collection Sunday. Donations of non-perishables may be placed in the plastic tub by the entrance to the sanctuary. Cash/check donations are also gratefully accepted in the collection. On the third Sunday, of the month we have a Personal Items Collection for the area needy taken during the service. Please give what you can—paper products, soaps and hygiene products, or money donations gratefully accepted! Any Sunday, please consider donating to the Bangor Homeless Shelter Laundry Fund. The current status of laundry funds at the shelter allows guests with no income to be able to wash their clothing on average once a month. Imagine only washing your clothing once a month! Please help and contribute any change (bills work too!) in the jug as you are leaving the Sanctuary on Sundays. Thank you for your generosity and caring!
Religious Education Summer Camp
I know it's hard to believe, but Summer Camp will be upon us soon. UUSB Day Camp is a fantastic way to allow our kids to have an opportunity to build their Community and grow together with common UU values. We will have two separate weeks of camp this year, open to entering Kindergarten - entering 6th grade. The first will be July 14-18, 2014 and the second will be August 18-22, 2014. In addition, we would like to open our Summer Day Camp up to our Friends in the local area. If your child(ren) have friends that may enjoy our camp programming, please have them contact me for a registration form. There will be a fee of $100/child/week. Please contact Karen Childs with questions or for a registration form. [email protected] .
UUSB Calendar ~ May 2014
SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT
1
5:30pm Choir Rehearsal
7:00pm Women w/Wings
2
12:30pm Knitting Circle
3
9:00am Small Group Ministry Workshop
4
10:00am 11:00am Worship Fellowship 11:30 am Green Sanctuary Cmte
5:30pm COA (RE)
5
10:00am Soup Kitchen Cook’n’Serve (off-site)
6
6:30pm Buddhist Affinity
7
8
4:15pm Exec. Cmte
5:30pm Choir Rehearsal
7:00pm Women w/Wings
9 11:00am Budget & Finance Cmte
10 9:00am Pastoral Care Team
11 Mother’s Day
(Food Cupboard Collection)
10:00am 11:00am Worship Fellowship
4:00pm 5:00pm Guatemala COA (RE) Trip Mtg.
12
13
6:00pm Stewardship Cmte
7:00pm Committee on Ministry
7:00pm Shawl Ministry
14
12:00 noon Office deadline for June Chimes articles 6:00pm Membership Cmte
7:00pm Bldg. & Grds Cmte
15
5:30pm Choir Rehearsal
7pm Women w/Wings
16
12:30pm Knitting Circle
7:00pm Penobscot Contra-dancers
17
18 Annual Meeting
(Personal Care Items Collection)
10:00am 11:00am Worship Fellowship
11:30am Social Justice Cmte
6:00pm COA Parent Dinner
19
20
6:30pm Buddhist Affinity
21
11:15am AUW Guild 5:45pm Religious Ed Cmte
6:30pm Council Meeting
22
5:30pm Choir Rehearsal
7pm Women w/Wings
23
24 10:00am Bag Lunch Prep
3:30pm Bean Supper
25
10:00am Worship
11:00am 11:30am Fellowship SOUPER SUNDAY
12:30pm 1:30pm Beginner’s Spirit of Drumming Drumming
26 Memorial Day Observed
27
7:00pm Shawl Ministry
28 6:30pm Worship Cmte
29 5:30pm Choir Rehearsal
7pm Women w/Wings
30 31 10:00am Bag Lunch Prep
3:30pm Bean Supper
Please check the www.uubangor.org website for calendar updates!
Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor 120 Park Street Bangor, ME 04401-5024
First Class
Postage
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
FIRST CLASS MAIL — Dated material PLEASE DELIVERY PROMPTLY
Church Council
Sue McKay, Chair [email protected]
Eric Olson, Vice Chair [email protected]
Rosemary Parsons, Treasurer [email protected]
Michele Caitlyn-Strout, Clerk [email protected]
Charles Boothby [email protected]
Amy Brickel [email protected]
Deb Harvey [email protected]
Chris Packard [email protected]
Church Staff
Minister: Rev. Becky Gunn Rev. Becky Gunn has office hours Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Be sure to call ahead to be sure she is available, as there are occasional conflicts. Other times available by appointment. Monday is Rev. Becky’s day off. Email: [email protected]; Phone: 947-7009 (church); 862-2520 (home); 303-895-8668 (cell, for emergencies)
Music Director: Nancy Lewis Email: [email protected]
Acting Religious Education Director: Karen Childs Email: [email protected]
Church Administrator & Newsletter Editor: Susan Vernal Email: [email protected] Phone: 947-7009 (church, Tues-Fri, 10AM-Noon)
Newsletter Submittals We value your contributions and very much appreciate submittals. When sending email contributions to The Chalice and Chimes: [email protected]
Next Newsletter Deadline:
May 14, 2014 at Noon Next issue is June 2014.
(This newsletter is not published in July and August.)
CONTACTS
