Volume 15, Issue 5

ADULT RE SUNDAY 9:15 AM RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

SUNDAY 9:30 AM SUNDAY SERVICE

10:30 AM BEACON (TEENS) SUNDAY 6-8 PM

FIND US/WRITE US: UNIVERSITY UUS

11648 MC CULLOCH RD ORLANDO, FL 32817

407 737-4018 VISIT OUR WEBSITE:

www.universityuus.org

Programs for May Pres. Message

1 2

Annual Meeting Agenda, Alliance for May 2011 Graduates

2 4

RE, Adult RE, Member Orientation Class

3

2011 Graduates, Pastoral Care Who Do We Appreciate?

4 5

Social Concerns Calendar Groups, Clubs, Meetings

6,7 8 9

Thanks, Choir Meeting, Women’s Group Brother Sun Concert

10

11 Listen (A Poem) Directory (Back Cover)

11 12

Inside this issue:

The Connection University Unitar ian Universalist Society

May 1st Rev. Mary Louise DeWolf A Journey of Commitment to Liberal Reli-gion Rev. Mary Louise DeWolf is Minister Emerita at Nature Coast Unitarian Universal-ist in Citrus Springs, FL. She is a native Floridian and entered ministry following serving as Co-District Executive for Florida and part of the Mid-South Districts, and teaching biol-ogy and chemistry for 30 years in Florida, Georgia, California, and England. May 8th Rev. Mark Spivey Faithfulness The presentation on "Faithfulness" is less focused on marital faithfulness than faithfulness to oneself, i.e., developing a com-mitment to one's unique "truth" (which speaks to our first principle "inherent worth and dignity of every person.") Human beings have a powerful tendency to be faithful to what they think is truly important: a family name, spouse, a friendship, an employer, school, athletic team or even certain things like a make of automobile. But being committed to one's own self as a living and spiritually aware being comes first. Mark is a seasoned minister, an experienced counselor, an enthusiastic life coach, a professional consultant to hospitals, hospices, funeral homes and church-es. Mark is a published author and an inspirational speaker. But for UUUS, Mark is all that but most importantly...Mark is our friend. Mark is currently working to complete his book entitled: "I've Been Dying to Meet You.” POTLUCK AFTER SERVICE May 15th Jane Compson,PhD From Guilt to Green: Growing Environmental-ism in Christianity In this talk, Ms. Compson will give a brief sketch of some environ-mentalist critiques of Christianity and discuss some attempts to respond to the chal-lenge. She will focus on the work of contemporary Green Christian thinker, Mark Wallace, and his 'five ways to a sustainable future' in Christianity. She is an instructor in Philoso-phy, Religious Studies and the Humanities at UCF. She teaches classes in Philosophy, Religion and the Environment; Environmental Ethics; Animal Ethics; Buddhist Thought; Religion and Medicine. She is also a guest instructor at the medical school teaching medi-cal ethics and mentoring student projects on mindfulness and medicine. In her spare time she is training to be a Buddhist Chaplain through the Upaya Zen Center in New Mex-ico. ANNUAL MEETING May 22nd Children's RE Program Hallelujah! Game Show-Paloosa! Our children provide a wild mash-up of familiar game-shows highlighting the lessons they have learned this year. A crazy interactive program with topics from well known Bible stories as well as biblical references from the cartoon series, The Simpsons. The band Jars of Jam is performing music while the kids act out a skit to the lyrics. It will be a fun program letting the children demonstrate their part in our community. Music and competitive questions combine for fun and learning. May 29 Tom Cook, PhD Experience, Memory and Happiness Mr. Cook has been a professor at Rollins college since 1982. He speaks about the recent experimental work in psychology which examines the intriguing relationship between our experiences of (say) pleasure and pain and our memories of those experiences. Surprising results of these studies raise questions about how we should understand and (to the extent that such a thing is possible) measure human happiness. The discussions remind us of age-old questions (discussed especially by Aristotle and the Stoics). The talk will describe some of the experimental data and reflect on some of the intriguing issues.

PROGRAMS FOR MAY, 2011

PAGE 2 THE CONNECTION VOLUME 15, ISSUE 5 President’s Message….. Happy May Day! Wow, can you believe 2011 is almost half over! What an exciting and inspirational month April was for me and I hope for you, as well. Our Sunday programs lifted up peace, gentleness, friendship and flowers, and angels – wonderful visions for a world much in need of beautiful things. Our children enjoyed the annual ICE Sunday and the ever-popular Dragon Egg Hunt and Egg Drop on Easter. Our services were filled with beautiful music – from David, our talented pianist, and Jars of Jam – our own band of musicians and talented singers. Our EMG (Every Member Gathering) Dinners have been, based on feedback, a wonderful experience for all who have attended. We’ll be sharing preliminary results of the surveys and some of the ideas that have been generated during the discussions at the Annual Meeting on May 15th. Plan to be there! There’s a lot to share as we start planning our next terrific year at UUUS! Please continue (or start!) to check out the “Board Board”. There are new “essential pieces” featured and more reasons to say “thank-you” to fellow UUU’S! No one can hear “thank you” too much! See you Sunday! Warmly, Martha ANNUAL MEETING……………..SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2011………………...ANNUAL MEETING AGENDA Meeting called to order, quorum established...11:45 am Approval of Minutes Treasurer’s Report Initial Report from Survey’s EMG (Every Member Gathering) Annual Budget – Presentation and Acceptance Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Nominating Committee – Report and presentation of Nominees Voting for Officers 2011-2012 Fiscal Year Worship Committee Report LEED Certification Question Old Business New Business Meeting Adjourned The ALLIANCE for May submitted by Vicki Kirkland, Second Vice President, Programs May 3 Board Meeting; Work on Continuing Bazaar May 10 Pot Luck; Work on Continuing Bazaar May 17 Making Sandwiches for the Homeless; Work on Continuing Bazaar May 24 Grace Gonzales from the Hope CommUnity Center will be our speaker. Work on the Continuing Bazaar May 31 Alliance members Cathy and Pat Spoone will present their joint biographies. Work on Continuing Bazaar

PAGE 3 THE CONNECTION VOLUME 15, ISSUE 5 Children's RE is packed with fun for one more month this spring. On May 8th Roberta Lerman will join us during the 9:30 class to share a story that she has created. A talented artist in our commu-nity, she has been developing a storytelling project -- a series based on the 7 UU Principles -- and has illustrated the story she is sharing

with beautiful and intricate paper collages. On May 22nd the children pre-sent Hallelujah! Game Show-Paloosa! The children present the service to show what they have been learning this year in RE. The theme of the curriculum is to familiarize the chil-dren with familiar bible stories and seeing the influences of the Judeo-Christian beliefs in the world around us. We will practice for the service during RE and service for the next few weeks. Watch for more details about your child's participation via email and during programming on Sunday mornings.

We are trying something new this summer to plan for children's programming. Sheets are posted outside the classrooms asking when you will be "away" from Service. Take a moment to sign up letting us know your schedule. Sheets asking for volunteers to share something they love with the children are available in the meeting room. We will use this information to plan programs for those Sundays where most children are available. Beginning in mid June -- classes will be combined into a single age group and the content will be fun, interactive and sometimes wacky. We will begin our regular programming again when school starts in the fall. The new curricula for 4 children's classes will be available this month as well. Please contact Michelle Smith at the UUUS office if you can share some of your talents with the children this summer. Paper folding, art, history, baking or cultural experiences -- anything that is your pas-sion. The children really responded to their connection with the adults this winter during the pro-gram. This is an opportunity to continue that connection with the very youngest members of our commu-nity. If you have questions, please contact Happy Amein happy@citrusoak.com or Michelle Smith at the UUUS office.

The UUUS Member Orientation class is scheduled for Saturday, May 21st from 9:30 to 11:30. The class is open to all members, friends and anyone who is interested in learning a little more about the Uni-tarian/Universalist religion and about our congregation in particular. If you wish to attend, please RSVP to the office at 407-737-4018 or info@universityuu.org Just as a reminder: there will be no classes over the summer months, June, July, and August. Classes will resume in the fall.

Adult R.E: In Adult R.E., we discuss topics of particular interest to our membership. Pertinent articles, selected by our topic leader for the week, are sent out via e-mail prior to class. Occasionally we have an outside presenter. On these occasions, we have time to for an extensive Q/A. Our topics relate (directly or indirectly) to one or several of our UU Principles. As UUs, we are directed 'To seek the truth and to support one another'. I believe we do this each Sunday. Join us from 9:15-10:15 in our new building. Roy Scherer

PAGE 4 THE CONNECTION VOLUME 15, ISSUE 5 Graduating Class of 2011 … This year we have three triple U youth graduating from high school! Our pride and love go with you as you follow your dreams!! Kayli Carter is a senior at Hagerty High School in Oviedo. She has decided after nu-merous auditions to attend Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. Kayli plans to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Performing Arts and was awarded a generous per-forming arts scholarship. Kayli has been attending UUUS since 2000, Beacon since 2005 and became a voting member in 2007. She has held youth positions in Beacon, as well as on the Florida District Board and at General Assembly. Kayli looks forward to attending the UU Church of Savannah but will miss singing with our band, Jars of Jam.

Taylor Gibson is graduating from Oviedo High School, where she is one of 75 students who have a GPA of 4.0 or higher! That earned her a $500 Scholarship. She has had perfect attendance for at least 3 years. Taylor was accepted into UCF despite their com-petitive admission requirements, but has decided to attend Seminole State College on a Bright Futures Scholarship and intends to transfer to UCF’s Nursing program. She has attended UUU as a Beacon youth member since 2005 and she became a voting member in 2009. Taylor has held youth positions in Beacon, as well as on the Florida District Board. Taylor currently works in our children’s faith development program providing child care. We are lucky that Taylor will be able to continue to be involved in our faith community as she begins her college journey in Seminole county.

Richard Littleton is graduating from Colonial High School where he played football, was successful in the shot put and discus (5th in the State!) in track and field and took photographs for the newspaper. Richard plans on attending Valencia Community Col-lege. Richard began attending Beacon in 2005 and became a voting member of UUU in 2010. Richard continues to be an active member of Beacon and is a favorite cook for church events and CONS. We are again lucky that another of our seniors is staying local for the coming year and can still be involved at UUUS.

Thanks for Caring!

Caring church community…CHECK. Mul�-talented UUU individuals willing to share those talents…CHECK. Superb organiza�onal efforts from our own Pastoral Care Team…CHECK. All that’s le" now is to find recipients in need of services. If you are in need of assistance, please contact any Pastoral Care Team member or call Sylvia Friedman at 407-657-5745. For more informa�on and a list of current members, see our flyer next to the bulle�n board in the back of the church.

PAGE 5 THE CONNECTION VOLUME 15, ISSUE 5 Chapter Two of “Who Do We Appreciate at UUUS?” In February of this year, we started our official recognition program and gave a big “Thank You” to some very “essential pieces” of our UUUS congregation. Kathy An-derson, Mike Reid, and Sylvia Friedman were highlighted in the Connection and on the “Board Board.” It’s time to celebrate and thank some more wonderful mem-bers! Dutton Ashcraft, a member of UUUS since 1999, always has a smile on his face and a kind word for everyone. Often, he has a camera somewhere close by ready to take wonderful can-did shots as well as new member photos for our directory. Dutton has served as a Treasurer and as Facil-ities Chair during his time with UUUS and probably numerous other positions that I don’t know about. He has been a valuable member of the Pastoral Care Team since its inception and has created and delivered countless personalized cards to members in times of need. However, his most visible contribution, and one that takes a lot of time and dedication, is putting together our weekly bulletin. Dutton chooses the gorgeous photos, types most of the information, and is at the office weekly working with Michelle to print, fold, and assemble the bulletins and get them ready for Sunday morning. For us, they’re just there wait-ing in the cabinet on Sunday morning – like magic – but Dutton is always there behind the scenes, making it look easy. Thank you, Dutton, for all you do – consistently and with a smile. We are blessed to have you as part of our UUUS family! Gary Przyborski joined UUUS in 2003. Gary’s interest and enthusiasm for UUUS have reached into many areas. Gary’s engineering background has been used well at UUUS in the sound department, on the building committee, and with the Green Sanctuary program. He’s worked tirelessly to keep us informed of ways to save energy and money and to be kinder to our planet. You might see him on a ladder working on lighting, charting our electric bills, changing our faucets or championing a congregational garden. Gary’s current leading role at UUUS is as the chair of the Social Concerns committee where all his talents and concerns for others can really make a difference. His enthusiasm is attracting new members and new energy in the SC committee. We’re strengthening connections with other local entities – i.e. the Hope Foundation (where he was thanked for his countless hours of work at their annual meeting); increasing awareness of important issues – i.e. Islam/Muslim relations, migrant worker conditions, health care, legis-lative changes; and making “service as our gift” to our community. Thank you, Gary, for your inspiration and leadership in this important role.

Abigail Kirby is being acknowledged this month by the board for her exceptional contributions to our faith community. Abi Kirby has attended UUU since 2005 when she began attending OWL. Abi became an active Beacon member and has flourished with each leadership role she has taken on. In addition, she was recently a youth representative on the Florida District Board. Abi has worked tirelessly to keep Beacon active at both UUU and throughout the State. Abi became a vot-ing member in 2009, when she began to take on even more ministry roles. She is on our worship committee where she takes minutes, shares her perceptive thoughts and keeps us looking toward the future. Abi is a greeter and always attends work days to help out and socialize. Abi is espe-cially talented as a service leader where her opening words are often inspirational. Abi is a talent-ed musician! You might find her playing her cello or singing with Jars of Jam during our ser-vices. She was a rock star at SUUSI last summer! Please take a moment to thank Abi for her tire-less contributions to our church family.

PAGE 6 THE CONNECTION VOLUME 15, ISSUE 5

UniversityUUS Report Social Concerns (SC) Submitted by Gary Przyborski

Date: 2011-04-19

You would have to live in Siberia not to realize the unprecedented battle for America's future in both state and federal spheres. Increased debt on a state level is causing bankruptcies and shutdowns of essential services as many state constitutions require balanced budgets. While on the federal level, reduced tax rates for many decades and uncon-trolled spending is talking its toil as the markets loose confidence in the America's ability to govern itself. And yet the balanced budget mantra now justifies proposals on both sides of the aisle that will do little to improve America's future health. Nationalized debates often muddied the waters from the fundamental questions that must be decided by the American people.

• Systemic problems must be solved. Whether we all pay for the Medicare/Medicaid system, or if the federal gov-ernment no longer funds these programs, the burden has been shifted to someone else but the core problem of America's healthcare system being the most ineffective and costly in the world remains. covers various healthcare through Medicare and Medicaid, this doesn't slash healthcare costs-- it simply shifts the burden to someone else-- without making a better system. If middle and lower income individuals are no longer offered scholarships, this hurts both these individuals and the country as whole by them not being educated. But still the root cause of ever higher tuition costs remain. Many corporations pay no taxes like GE in recent years, while others such as Texas Instruments, pay 28%. Instead of concentrating on the poster card villains, or patching a poor tax system, it needs to be simplified, and designed to be less susceptible to fraud. Obviously, taxes cannot be too high to discourage corporations and in-dividuals from leaving, but they must pay for the services we use. One issue that remains a sore point is that those opposed to government have weakened and corrupted its ability to regulate, and then point to its failings as justifica-tion as to why it should be further weakened. In America, the free market is often worshiped without close scrutiny. Yet, a functionally unregulated market brought us Madoff, Enron, and a financial meltdown orchestrated by invest-ment banks and their weapons of mass destruction- derivates. Unless the country can effectively counter these forc-es, how can we achieve and maintain a functional democracy? •What kind of country do you wish to live in? Fundamentally, this is the question the American people need to an-swer before anything else. Do we believe that we should have affordable and a higher level of healthcare for a majori-ty of Americans? Do we want an America that supports its young people with an education worth getting but that more of its young can afford? Do we feel we share a responsibility to take care of those less fortunate to do so? Do we take global pollution seriously, and start dramatically curtailing our burning of fossil fuel to slow rate of global warming, and loss of species. On the other hand, there are those who see believe there shouldn't be any regulation on corporations. They believe that short term business growth is most important. They see the government as the problem, but refuse to see acknowledge how unregulated corporate activity can be destructive, such as the recent financial collapse. They do not see the environment as something worth protecting, but simply another raw material to be used. Still the fundamental question is what kind of country do you wish to live in, something closer to one of the Scandinavian countries, or Guatemala. Right now lobbyists, Governors, Senators, Representatives, and the Presi-dent of the United States are deciding this. Whatever your vision, now is the time to make your voice heard in Con-gress. A concerted effort can will make a difference- even now.

Stripping Corporations of Citizenship Petition. An upcoming Sunday presentation will directly deal with this issue. SC encourages you to share the petition sheets with family, friends, and co-workers. We need a united front on this!

Ethical Eating. Eating ethically are covered in, CONSUMER CHOICES Books, Articles, Films, & Websites FOR CONSCIENTIOUS CONSUMPTION, http://www.uua.org/documents/washingtonoffice/ethicaleating/consumer_choices.pdf. If you don't have access to the internet, a printed form is available on the back table or through the UUUS office. Here is a snippet...

Most labels on egg cartons are marke�ng devices with no legal meaning for animal welfare.

Cer�fied Organic*: ...They are fed an organic, all-vegetarian diet free of an�bio�cs and pes�cides...Beak cu�ng and forced mol�ng through starva�on are permi�ed.

Free-Range: ... They can engage in many natural behaviors such as nes�ng and foraging. .. Beak cu�ng and forced mol�ng through starva�on are permi�ed. There is no third-party audi�ng. Cer�fied Humane*: The birds are uncaged

PAGE 7 THE CONNECTION VOLUME 15, ISSUE 5 inside barns or warehouses, but may be kept indoors at all �mes...Beak cu�ng is allowed… So-cial Concerns Ar�cle con�nued on next page………>>>>

Cage-Free: As the term implies, hens laying eggs labeled as “cage-free” are uncaged inside barns or warehouses, but generally do not have access to the outdoors...

United Egg Producers Cer�fied: The overwhelming majority of the U.S. egg industry complies with this voluntary pro-gram, which permits rou�ne cruel and inhumane factory farm prac�ces. By 2008, hens laying these eggs will be afford-ed 67 square inches of cage space per bird, less area than a sheet of paper. The hens are confined in restric�ve, barren cages and cannot perform many of their natural behaviors, including perching, nes�ng, foraging or even spreading their wings.

Movie Night. Our last film, The Corporation, is a fascinating film that covered some key points concerning corpora-tion. One of the words worth remembering was externality, which relates to shifting damage or cost to a third party. In the movie, Milton Friedman describes it as, “An externality is the effect of a transaction between two individuals on a third party who has not consented to, or played any role in the carrying out of that transaction. Ray Anderson puts it this way: “Running a business is a tough proposition. There are costs to be minimized at every turn, and at some point the corporation says, you know, let somebody else deal with that. Let's let somebody else supply the military power to the Middle East to protect the oil at its source. Let's let somebody else build the roads that we can drive the-se automobiles on. Let's let somebody else have these problems. And that is where externalities come from, that no-tion of let somebody else deal with that. I got all I can handle myself.” FYI, see http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379225/quotes. The next movie will be “The Nature of Existence" on Sunday, May 15, which is being put on by the Orlando Freethinkers and Humanists group. Social Concerns will return in June with another movie.

The Hope Foundation workdays are set for Saturday, April 30th and May 7th. This gentle introduction to the Hope Foundation concerns the Thrift store itself, but there are many opportunities to share with this group and others more of your abilities through mentoring and the such.

Global Warming. Of course, science hasn't been debunked, we still have computers that compute, planes that fly, more advanced communication than just a decade ago, but repeated lies about Climate Science are financed by ma-jor polluters in the oil, gas, and coal industries that wish to shift their business expenses (externalize their costs) onto citizens, which has hoodwinked a good portion of Americans to believe, not think, that Global Warming is made up. It isn't. Further, real life changes on the planet continue to track climate model predictions as local climates shift and the planet heats up. Our own Jim Rucquoi sent out an email about Bill McKibben's fiery talk on April 16th to ten thousand young people in Washington DC where he mentioned a major day of action on September 24th-- called Moving Plan-et. (Note: If you're interested in getting the UUUS involved in Moving Planet, talk to the Social Concerns group and

Results of Social Concerns Survey: Recently Social Concerns sent out a survey to the entire Congrega-tion in an effort to determine issues that might offer the whole Congregation a focus. The following is a summary of the results. (In the interest of space Social Concerns will be abbreviated with SC) There were 13 participants. Of those 13, the majority were age 60-69 and lived less than 15 minutes from UUUS. The majority spent 5 or fewer hours a week participating in church activities, this was split evenly between 2 or fewer hours and 3-5 hours. In response to the one main thing you would like to see SC achieve in the next 3 - 5 years. The an-swers were 1. Ongoing food drive 2. Expanded community outreach with multigenerational flavor 3. Attack issues in a non partisan way 4. Supporting local charities. When asked to prioritize 10 issues into 3 top issues you chose 1. Healthcare 2. Education/School funding tied with civil political and human rights 3. Local Environmental issues tied with global warming. When asked if you would like to see any additional organizations in the share the plate efforts the one re-sponse was Eco-action and Back to Nature Animal Hospital. SC will use this information in future planning. We appreciate all responses and each of your helpful com-ments.

PAGE 8 THE CONNECTION VOLUME 15, ISSUE 5

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1** Investment Club 12 noon CONCERT 2P May Day Holocaust Re-membrance Day

2 3 Alliance meets at 1st Church

4 5 6 7

8Choir Meet-ing 10:30 Potluck (Council) Mother’s Day

9 10 Alliance meets at 1st Church

11 Board Meets 7p

12 13 Men’s Group 6:30p

14 Novel Book Group 10a

15 Annual Meeting Movie Night

16 17 Alliance meets at 1st Church

18 Lunch Bunch

19 20 21 New Member Orientation 9:30-11:30 Armed Forces Day

22 Social Con-cerns meets 12 noon

23 Victoria Day (Canada)

24 Alliance meets at 1st Church

25 26 27 Women’s Group 7p

28 Book Group 10a

29

30 Memorial Day

31 Alliance meets at 1st Church

**Ongoing Sunday events: Adult RE 9:15a Children’s RE 9:30a Service 10:30a Beacon 6-8p

May 2011 Holidays, Meetings, Events and Celebrations of Interest to the UUUS Community

PAGE 9 THE CONNECTION VOLUME 15, ISSUE 5 GROUPS, CLUBS, MEETINGS: Alliance: The Alliance meets every Tuesday at First Church, downtown Orlando. Members from UUUS and 1st Church enjoy a variety of activities, share a lunch, hear speakers and make sandwiches for the homeless. Come and join this wonderful group! For more information, see the schedule on page 2 and make note of the special events in April. You can also call Kathy Anderson or email Marilyn Stewart: MStew33939@aol.com Book Discussion Group: This group usually meets on the 4th Saturday of the month, May’s meeting should be held May 28th, 10am. What book are they reading? Find more information on the UUUS web-site, or you can also contact the leader, Steve Hall: Hallsorl@earthlink.net Circle Suppers: If you want to host a Circle Supper, please contact Julie Symonds, who graciously or-ganizes them for us. Usually held on the first Saturday evening of each month, it is a wonderful time to gather in a smaller group, to make connections and enjoy socializing, not to mention the food! Dreamwork: Please contact Judy Minear for their next scheduled meeting or for more information about this fascinating group. The Dreamwork group is Co-facilitated by Mary K Swanson and Judy Minear. Investment Group: The purpose of this group is to examine the current and future trends in the stock, bond, currency and other financial markets. The resulting information is intended to assist participants in maximizing the return from their own investment portfolio. Meetings are usually held at 12 noon, following the service, on the first Sunday of each month. You are invited to join us! For further information, please contact Bill Long via email at billlong5@yahoo.com Lunch Bunch: Lunch Bunch will meet at noon on Wed., May 18 at the Winter Park Towers clubhouse, 1824 Summerfield Rd. Judy Scherer from Lancashire will gossip about the ladies across the border from Yorkshire, the Bronte sisters. Please bring something to share for potluck lunch. Questions? Contact Dut-ton Ashcraft (dashcraft@cfl.rr.com) A Novel Book Group: The Novel Book Club for Saturday May 14th: A mountain in the Berkshires. A place called Blackwell, Massachusetts. A somewhat haunted little town that dates back to 1750. A mysteri-ous red garden in which only red plants will grow. We'll be reviewing 'THE RED GARDEN' by Alice Hoffman who has written a dozen books. This is her newest. The novel has its share of lovers and dreamers, many of them undone by their own foolishness. It has many dangers from day one. Some natural but most of them human. Spirits, a long dead child who drowned in the dangerous river. It's a good thing the settlers had Hallie or they would not have survived the first winter and there would not have been been a story to tell at all. Did I say one story? This is book is character driven tied together by an unbreakable thread of families and descendants alive or dead taking you into the 20th century. It can't be one story Need more information? Contact Beth Keifer: bkeifer@cfl.rr.com The UUUS Men’s Group: All men are welcome! The Men’s Group meets monthly and shares fellow-ship and a meal. They will meet on Friday, May 13th, 6:30 pm, at UUUS. Please watch for news of their gathering and plan to join them! Contact David McElroy for more information: davidam-celroy@earthlink.net The UUUS Women’s Group: All women are welcome! In May the UUUS Women's Group presents guest speaker herbalist Dena Wild! Join us for her presentation on nutrition and healing herbs at UUUS on Friday, May 27th at 7:00 pm. Please bring a snack to share! (see page 10 for more information!)

PAGE 10 THE CONNECTION VOLUME 15, ISSUE 5 Many Thanks...our last work day on April 16th was a huge success! We shared talents, hard work and determination and accomplished so much. Coming together we celebrate this intentional community, we care for our space and for each other...and we had a wonderful lunch! Here is a list of the workers: Dave and Julie Symonds Richard Cohen Jacqueline Calkins Bill Long Paula Despang Abi Kirby Phyllis Lamont Steve Hall Eric and Rachel Christensen Roy Scherer Joie Kohl and Joe Garchinsky Rachel Aschemeyer Happy, John and Caroline Amein Joe Mendoza Janet Leavens Mike, Chris and Josh Reid Karina and Yana Torres-Aksenov Kathy Anderson John McCormack and Sylvia Friedman Hope to see you at the next work day!

Calling all singers…..Sunday May 8th, immediately after the 10:30 service, we will be holding a brief (10-15 minute) organizational meet-ing about starting a new adult choir (ages 13+). We will discuss re-hearsal scheduling as well as general goals for the group. Anyone who enjoys singing and can carry a tune is welcome. Janet Leavens will be

leading the group. She has had previous experience directing choir (and holds a degree in vocal performance). She is looking forward to meeting all you UUUS singers soon. (If you will not be able to attend the May 8th meeting, feel free to email Janet at janet-leavens1@gmail.com with your scheduling preferences and other ideas for the group).

Women’s Group for May...In May the UUUS Women's Group presents guest speaker herbalist Dena Wild! Dena is a retired urban designer with degrees from the University of Georgia, University of Oregon, and post graduate work in landscape architecture at the University of Colorado. She is both a master gar-dener and backyard organic gardener. Her love of gardening quickly lead to growing, using, and appreciat-ing herbs. Join us for her presentation on nutrition and healing herbs at UUUS on Friday, May 27th at 7:00pm. Please bring a snack to share! Also May's Secret Sisters will be revealed at this meeting and redrawn for the month of June! If you would like to be included in June's Secret Sister drawing fill out a card on the table in the back hallway with your name and 3 things you plan to do this Summer! Going on vacation? That's great! Just leave your well labeled and dated gifts UNDER the table and they will be set out for you on the appropriate date and your gifts will be saved for when you return.

PAGE 11 THE CONNECTION VOLUME 15, ISSUE 5

Brother Sun Live in Concert! Time: Sunday, May 1 · 2:00pm - 3:30pm Location: University Unitarian Universalist Society 11648 McCulloch Rd Pat Wictor, Greg Greenway, and Joe Jencks have formed a dynamic new male trio. Their harmonies, as much as their lyrics, tell what they are about: warm as a campfire, stir-ring as a gospel church, rousing as a call to arms. Calling upon contemporary songwriting, and informed by the deep roots of gospel, blues, and folk, the trio weaves a tapestry of harmony that is brilliantly fresh and yet familiar. Nationally touring folk artists from three major points on the map - Boston, New York, and Chica-go - Pat, Greg, and Joe celebrate the amazing power of singing together. Their combined musical skills should make for an unforgettable evening - three rich voices blending on a well-crafted foundation of guitar, slide guitar, and piano Tickets are $15 for adults, kids under 12 are free. Come at noon and we'll sell you lunch too! A percentage of ticket sales go back to the church. Listen by Linda Lancione Moyer Standing in the garden, left hand laden with ripe strawberries. The sun beams off the glassy backs of flies. Three birds in the birch tree. They must have been there all year. My mother, my grandmother, stood like this in their gardens, I am 43. This year I have planted my feet on this ground and am practicing growing up out of my legs like a tree.

11648 McCulloch Rd. Orlando, Florida 32817

UNIVERSITY UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY

Phone: 407 737-4018 Email: info@universityuus.org Website: www.universityuus.org

Directory of University UUS UUUS Board President...Martha Kirby...mkirby@cranerental.com Vice President...Joie Kohl...jkohl@bellsouth.net Secretary...Judy Minear...in2toning@msn.com Treasurer...Dave Symonds...dsymonds@yahoo.com Trustee...Kim Carter-Williams...info@universityuus.org Trustee...Link Christensen...link.christensen@gmail.com Trustee...Mike Christle...Mike@binaryprints.com Past President...Chris Reid...lcreid99@aol.com Administrator: Michelle Smith… info@universityuus.org Committee Chairs Alliance...Marilyn Stewart...MStew33939@aol.com Facilities...John McCormack...JonDoc@aol.com Finance...Julie Symonds...jasymonds@yahoo.com Hospitality...Kathy Anderson Member Concerns...Joe Mendoza...JAazodnem@aol.com, Jill Metz...j.jemstone@yahoo.com and Diana Ovadia…d_ovadia2@yahoo.com Pastoral Care...Sylvia Friedman...JonDoc@aol.com Programs...Judy Minear...in2toning@msn.com Public Relations...Joe Mendoza…JAazodnem@aol.com Religious Education (youth)...Happy Amein… happy@citrusoak.com RE (adult)...Roy Scherer...royhsch60@aol.com Social Concerns/Green Sanctuary… Gary Przyborski…geprzy@gmail.com and Dawn Foster…dawnm_foster@yahoo.com Worship...Eric Christensen...HighGear3@gmail.com

Communications Webmaster...Mike Christle…Mike@binaryprints.com Newsletter...Chris Reid...lcreid99@aol.com Information Tech Mgr...Mike Christle… Mike@binaryprints.com Youth Owl...Kim Carter-Williams... kimcarterwilliams@earthlink.net Eric and Rachel Christensen… HighGear3@gmail.com Beacon...Eric and Rachel Christensen… HighGear3@gmail.com Activities Book Group..Steve Hall..hallsorl@earthlink.net Chess Club...Paul Hargett...paulh4892@aol.com Circle Suppers...Julie Symonds... jasymonds@yahoo.com Dreamworks...Judy Minear…in2toning@msn.com Great Decisions...Bill Long…billlong5@yahoo.com Investment Grp..Bill Long..billlong5@yahoo.com Lunch Bunch...Dutton Ashcraft...dashcraft@cfl.rr.com Men’s Group...David McElroy… davidamcelroy@earthlink.net Novel Book Club...Bethed Keifer…bkeifer@cfl.rr.com Women’s Group...Jill Metz...j.jemstone@yahoo.com