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And The Nominees Are…
The UUFC Nominating Committee is working on a slate of candidates for the Board of Directors to be presented at the Annual Meeting on May 19. If you would like to know more about this process, and/or if you are interested in serving your Fellowship as a Director, we now have all the information and a response form in one handy document! Here is the link to that document: To Serve On The UUFC Board
Thank you for considering this opportunity! Please respond by Thursday, March 21. The 2024 Nominating Committee: Ann Marchant, Bonnie Morihara, Jed Irvine, and Priscilla Galasso.
Between Us, 3/10/2024
At the end of every OSU term I mark out ten to twelve hours on my schedule to have short one-to-one meetings with all the students in my class on World Religions. There are usually around 45 students, so it takes a while. I have learned that it is one of the most worthwhile things I do. I have a chance to hear from each student whether or not, in getting an overview of nine different traditions, they have learned anything useful (or surprising or helpful). This is my week for interviews, and once again, I am full of gratitude and awe. Students who never say anything in class become incredibly articulate. They describe how their perspectives have opened, how their horizons have widened, how what they thought was simply true is much more complicated and nuanced than they could have imagined. They appreciate knowing more than hearsay about Judaism and Islam, they are intrigued by the possibilities of Buddhist and Daoist practice. They recognize that even if they don’t consider themselves religious, nevertheless they too are in the process of trying to understand what it means to be human is, and how to live a good life.
I sometimes say that I continue to teach this class as my small contribution to world peace. And maybe that’s true. Maybe it’s also true that I’m still trying to understand what it means to be human and how to live a good live.
The Fellowship, and Unitarian Universalism, mean a lot of things to a lot of people. It isn’t always easy to describe what we do, because so much is done by so many, and because as the world changes we also change. At the very least, however, from my perspective, we are people who gather together as companions on the journey of life, trying to understand and do our best to be human through ups and downs, love and loss, fear and joy. We choose this specific liberal religious path, and this particular congregation for the freedom to ask our own questions and to share both questions and answers with others. We also choose this place because we understand that we can promise one another to take care of ourselves and of each other.
Being a Unitarian Universalist can look easy, as in “nothing is required.” But that is not quite right. Much is asked of us, including being responsible to and for each other, to and for the congregation, and to and for the world. All are welcome to come in and consider this path, yet it is so much more than a spectator sport (as I’ve said many times before). The religious life — this religious life as a Unitarian Universalist — is a life based on commitment. There is too much at stake in our lives and in the world for anything less.
Celebration of Life for Owen Bentley, 3/23
We send love and good wishes to the family of Owen Bentley, a long-time Fellowship member, who died on March 5 in Portland. A Celebration of Life for Owen will be held at the Fellowship on Saturday March 23. And we send love and good wishes to the Spain family, on the death of Joyce Spain on February 28. A gathering in honor and memory of Joyce will take place later in the Spring or Summer.
To help with the reception following Owen Bentley’s Celebration of Life on March 23, please contact Sandy Piper. Needed are volunteers to bring finger foods and to set-up and or clean up.
Stewardship Town Halls in April – Please Join Us!
April will be Stewardship Season at the Fellowship. “Stewardship” is a word for the shared effort of nurturing and sustaining this amazing and needed UU congregation. It’s the time of year when we review our commitments and make new pledges of support – in terms of time, talent and treasure – for the next year. It’s a time for conversation, for sharing what the Fellowship means in our lives, for working together to improve the ways we work together!
Several Town Halls are planned, with refreshments or supper and childcare provided. Note – these dates are slightly different from those published last week – this is the updated schedule:
Monday April 1 (for newest members) 7 PM – with wine, cheese and charcuterie
Tuesday April 2 – Zoom Town Hall (bring your own treats?)
Thursday April 4 – 6 PM – with Indian Buffet supper
Sunday April 7, after the Sunday service – with light lunch TBD
Please plan now to attend at least one of these gatherings. Sign up forms will be available soon. The Pledge Drive will begin with a special Sunday service on April 7. The town halls will also include discussions of proposed bylaw changes (from the Board) at the Annual Meeting on May 19. All Fellowship members are responsible for helping to make those changes.
Sunday March 10, 2024 “Who Killed Caesar?” Jacob King
Our world is increasingly becoming despotic. War, violence, and oppression is rampant; and the human condition continues to justify denying others agency. It is fitting then during the ‘Ides of March’ to analyze how people of faith can respond during times of such ‘Caesarism.’ As Shakespearean wisdom states: “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.”
Jacob King (He/Him) is a UU Candidate for Ministry and longtime friend of the UUFC. He started his ministry journey five years ago after witnessing UU’s engaging in Social Justice activities. Jacob identifies as neurodivergent and bisexual. Jacob is married to his partner Karmen and lives in Albany NY with her, three cats, and a dog.
*A note on readings from last Sunday: folks have asked for information about the article mentioned in the sermon last week, a conversation between Rabbi Nathan DeGroot and Philospher/Theologian Bayo Akomlafe. Here is a link to the article: An Invitation to Shapeshift: A Talmudo-Poetic Conversation on Post-Activism with Báyò Akómoláfé
EDI Read and Discuss Event, 4/8
EDI, The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Team invites you to join us as we explore Evicted, by Matt Desmond. This compelling book examines the impact of eviction and poverty in general. Book Discussion 7-8:30 PM, Monday, April 8th. Contact Elona Meyer for more information and the Zoom link.
The Sprout Film Festival, 3/29
The Sprout Film Festival is a do-not-miss opportunity. The festival focuses on films that “celebrate the diverse lives and creativity of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” It “strives to challenge assumptions and break down stereotypes”—something we all hope to support whenever we can. The festival is Friday, March 29th, with a choice to two times, 3 PM or 7 PM. If you are interested in joining us for a “Watch and Discuss” event, please contact Elona Meyer for more details.
UUFC Lawn Mowing Team Members Needed
Your UUFC lawn mowing team needs several new team members. We have a state-of-the-art set of electric lawn mowers and associated lawn trimmers and blowers. While mowing takes time (1-2 hours; once per month on your own schedule), it is a pleasant workout experience (1.5 to 2 mi of walking). The UUFC lawns are divided into front and back sections. We are in need of back section mowers.
If you have interest, please email Russ Karow and we can arrange to talk further about this opportunity to be a member of the UUFC’s volunteer corp. Thanks for your consideration!
Easter Sunday Kirtan with Johanna Beekman & Joss Jaffe, Easter Sunday, 3/31 at 7-8:30 PM
Please contact Kitzie Stern for more information
