The Flame The Newsletter of First Unitarian Church of Omaha
Rev. Elations I received an anonymous poem about our church in the mail. Prominent words were “beauty,” “silent,” “our little corner,” and “love.” We offer these gifts, and they are appreciated. A little paradox: to offer a weekly retreat requires commitment and change. Some of the changes we’ve introduced in the past weeks: Children and worship. Rather than joining adults for the beginning of worship each week, the children will worship separately in the Common Room. They’ll light their own chalice, sing their own songs, and share their own joys and sorrows. Afterwards they’ll attend their Sunday school classes. To complement this change, we are planning more all-church worship services like the one we held on August 26. There may be a little fidgeting during these services, but there is also a lot more energy. We’ll start with the Sunday before Thanksgiving, the Sunday before Christmas, and the Sunday of the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. To be continued on next page...
October 2012
Sunday Services At 9:30am and 11:15am October 7 | Rev. Frank Rivas | The Love of God In the essay entitled “The Love of God,” James Luther Adams affirms atheism as an authentic religious response to life. Adams goes on to sketch out a truly liberal Unitarianism. October 14 | TBD October 21 | Rev. Frank Rivas | Ancient Scripture, New Eyes You probably already know that I study the psalms with Rabbi Stacy Offner and Muallim Munir Shaikh. What you may not know is that some of the psalms, like some other books in the Bible, celebrate a liberal faith. October 28 | Rev. Frank Rivas | Required Reading When Emerson addressed the graduating class at Harvard in 1838, he defined our faith in a bold new way. Every Unitarian should experience the address.
Check out all the info about our auction on pages 5 and 8!
Calendar October 2, Book Club, off-site Rev. Elations Continued...
October 2, Zimmerman Concert, 7pm October 7, Witches’ Tea, 7pm October 8, Women’s Alliance Meeting, 6:30pm October 9, Board Meeting, 7pm October 13, Circle Suppers, off-site October 13, Private Wedding, 4pm October 14, Bridge Group, 1pm October 14, Board Talk-Back, 10:30am October 14, Sarah Joslyn Lunch, 12:45pm October 15, Flame Deadline, noon October 18, TADG, 7pm October 20, Private Wedding, 3pm October 21, Transition Omaha, 2pm October 21, Discussion: Jim Crow, 6:30pm October 22, Book Club, 7pm
Music. One of our strengths is getting even better. Anne Wilder has offered to lead a children’s choir, which will give its premier performance the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Thank you, Anne! In addition, the Early Morning Risers are taking a more active role in planning the contemporary service. They emphasize coordinating the music with the sermon. The Director of Religious Education. Meka is beginning the year not only by organizing the programs for children and youth, but also by teaching a Soulful Thursday class and by co-facilitating a book discussion group. She envisions a more comprehensive religious education program, one that speaks to children, youth, and adults, one that welcomes a greater diversity of people, and she is moving in that direction. Meka will be in her office each Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30pm until at least 6pm. The Church Administrator. Cat is now teaching at both UNO and at Metropolitan Community College. Congratulations! Her additional teaching burden led her to request more modest office hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11 to 3 Friday from 8 to 4. We have every hope that this new schedule will work both for Cat and for the church.
October 24, Holland Lecture, off-site October 26, Heart & Hand Auction, 6pm October 28, Mythological RoundTable, 5pm October 28, Discussion: Jim Crow, 6:30pm
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Our church is alive and well; so changes will continue to happen. But who we are, a place of beauty, silence, and love, remains the same. It’s great to be here. Blessings and love, Frank
October Update Autumn has really set in. The leaves are crisp beneath my feet, or still gloriously shrouding their respective limbs. Pumpkins have appeared on doorsteps. My tomatoes are still producing, but the vines have a wilted look to them. This is my favorite time of year. In my faith tradition, we are at year's end--the final harvest festival will be celebrated at the end of this month. Children will be out scaring the evil spirits away, and gathering plenty of sugary treats to hoard in their rooms. This is a time to look back over the year, to be grateful, and to ready oneself for the quiet of winter. It has been a good year. Sometimes hectic, occasionally confounding, but good overall. Here are some of the blessings I am counting: a full, engaged, dynamic board that is committed to getting our congregation's feet beneath us; a truly wonderful new minister; many smiles at church; faces fresh and known; a nearly-closed hole in the budget; hope. I see us all stretching our wings-greeting newcomers and welcoming old friends back with open hearts. That is our harvest, the results of our year's labors, and it is good. Blessed Be, Kate Godfrey
A Visitor’s Comment By Jaime Alexander After entering the sanctuary shortly before the service would start, I paused a moment to say hello to a visitor sitting alone and wearing a neatly written paste-on name tag. Later at coffee hour I noticed the visitor standing with a blue coffee cup by the snack table, alone. I went over, rejoined our earlier conversation, and introduced a few passers-by and others from nearby clusters. During our conversation I asked how the visit was going. Here is the reply, paraphrased. “I was a greeter at my former church so I am glad you asked. Thank you for introducing me. I’ve been having trouble meeting people here because so few are wearing their name tags.” I looked around. The first six people I saw did not have a name tag. The inner me sighed. Please remember to wear your name tag. Also, be sure to say hi to newcomers. Let’s encourage our guests to come back again by being our friendly selves.
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Coffee Hour Hosts Want to help the church? Host coffee hour. All that’s required is making coffee and bringing goodies if you would like. Want more information? Contact bmwallace@gmail.com
Women’s Alliance
Theology for the 21st Century
The Women’s Alliance will hold its meeting on October 8 at 6:30pm in the Common Room at First Unitarian Church. Our business meeting will start at 6:50pm.
Rev. Ron Knapp will present his ideas on “Theology for the 21st Century” at the Tolerant Atheist Discussion Group meeting to be held during the October Soul Full Thursday series. Ron will talk about his concern that Unitarian Universalism may be entering a period of decline because of a lack of emphasis on our “core values.” Gosh, that could lead to a discussion of what those are! Questions and table discussions will follow. The TADG meeting is at 7pm on Thursday, October 18 in the Common Room. All are welcome. Consider coming to the SFT dinner at 5:45pm. Reservations for dinner and the TADG may be made via the SFT sign-up process.
The topic is "A Treasure Across the River." Church member Abby Cape will share the story of the Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs. The museum, which opened in the historic Carnegie Library in 2003, shares the experience of the building of the transcontinental railroad. Exhibits cover the last 150 years history of the Union Pacific. Abby Cape is Communications & Volunteer Relations Manager at the museum. We will collect $12 for our scholarship fund. Dinner plans to be announced. Stay tuned. If this is your first time, please be our guest. Reservations must be made no later than Friday, October 5 to Janet West (402-5533162) or jmasonwest77@yahoo.com. We hope to see you at the meeting.
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Don’t miss the AUCTION ACTION! Plan to attend the Halloween “Heart & Hand” Auction Party on Friday, Oct 26, 6-10 pm at First Unitarian Church! (Moved to Friday to avoid a Husker home game.) End a busy workweek with food, fun, and friends (and free childcare by reservation). Older youth welcome to attend! Check out page 8 in this Flame issue for further details of the evening. Auction Items! Help build an awesome Auction Catalog: What might YOU donate to this year’s auction? Last year we had 75-plus auction items and raised over $10,000 of muchneeded funds for our operating budget! With your help, this year will be an even greater success! Raffle! Try your luck to win your own reserved primo parking space for a whole year—or a beautiful hand-blown glass vase! Just $1/ticket or $5/6 tickets. Unlimited entries. Need not be present at the auction to win! On sale in the Common Room during Coffee Hours. Fabulous Food! Apple crisp? Potato soup? Share your favorite fall foods at the potluck (or grab something at a deli). After eating and voting on costumes, we’ll plunge into the live auction (featuring renowned MC/Auctioneer Kate Wiig), then the silent auction. Preview the auction catalog as it grows this month! Fantastic auction offerings! DEADLINE for submitting auction items is Monday, Oct 22! To submit auction items, stop by the auction area in the Common Room, go online (www.firstuuomaha.org), email auction@firstuuomaha.org, or call 402-699-3183 (Donna). Can’t be at the auction? Arrange for a proxy bidder guided by your instructions. Team up with friends and bid as a group to snag a dinner or event together! Remember—all this fun is for a good cause, so be generous and enjoy! Hope to see you there on Oct 26!
Heart and Hand Auction Friday, October 26 6-10pm 5
At Church This Month Roy Zimmerman
Bridge Group
Share the Plate
Concert Tuesday, October 2 at 7pm in the sanctuary. Tickets are $18/each or pay what you can afford. Roy Zimmerman is a popular musician and we’re excited to host his concert here. Don’t miss out!
The Bridge Group meets each second and fourth Sunday at 1pm in the Whitney Young Classroom. This month the Bridge Group will meet on October 14 and 28. If you want to learn, teach or play bridge, you are welcome to attend.
The First Unitarian Church of Omaha's Share the Plate program selects an organization each month and donates half of our weekly nonpledged offering plate proceeds with them. Our Senior Ministry Team selects the monthly recipients based on 2 requirements: 1. That the recipient is a non-profit organization with a local presence. 2. The organization's official efforts have a direct impact in our local community. Our Share the Plate recipient for October is Siena/Francis House, a local shelter serving homeless men, women and children. We encourage you to learn more about Siena/Francis House by visiting: www.sienafrancis.org.
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Witches’ Tea Whatever your interest in earth-centered spirituality, whether Native American (or other) Shamanism, Celtic Druidism, African Diaspora, Wicca and Witchcraft or other tradition or path, come and enjoy conversation, fellowship, and the occasional earth-centered experience with others who resonate with the UUA's Sixth Source of Spirituality. This meeting is held on the first Sunday of each month. We meet on Sunday, October 7 at 7pm in the Merritt Lounge.
Book Club We will meet at 7pm in the Merritt Lounge on Monday, October 22. In preparation for the Holland Lecture, we will read a couple of articles by Fred Wertheimer. Those articles will be sent out in advance. Our September meeting was moved to October 2 to coincide with Robert Putnam’s Nebraska Humanities Lecture on his book American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us. The Book Club will meet at Jason’s Deli at 7010 Dodge St. at 5:30pm for dining and discussion of the book and then attend the 7pm viewing of his lecture by simulcast at Countryside Community Church at 89th and Pacific.
Joseph Campbell Mythological RoundTable The Omaha Mythological RoundTable is an “emerging” chapter of the Joseph Campbell Foundation's (JCF.org) program to promote the study of mythology and the works of Joseph Campbell. We gather on the fourth Sunday of every month at First Unitarian Church of Omaha from 5 to 7pm for a one-hour video plus a onehour discussion. Topics include the structure of myth, sacred stories, Jungian psychology, dream interpretation, comparative religion, and more. Contact OmahaMRT@gmail.com details. This month we meet on October 28 in the Whitney Young Room.
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HALLOWEEN “Heart & Hand “Auction Party Friday, October 26, 2012 6-10 p.m. At First Unitarian Church
3114 Harney St.
A major FUNdraiser for the church operations budget
Fall Favo
p! o h S , y rt Eat, Pa
rit
Non-alco es Potluck holi provided. c beverages Cash bar.
Auction Categories:
Costumes Encouraged (but optional)
1. Gourmet Gatherings (dinners, dining out)
2. Giving & Receiving
(services, lessons, a helping hand)
3. Going Wild
(games, activities, sports, outings)
4. Great Goods
(tempting gifts & merchandise)
Casual-Informal-Fun! Free Childcare— by reservation
Prizes for Best Costumes! Special Costume Category: Ghosts of UUs Past Silent & Live Auctions Food & Halloween fun Live Auction, some classic Halloween fun
TO OFFER Items for Auction TO SIGN UP for the potluck or childcare TO VOLUNTEER to Help out To CHECK the growing Auction Catalog: Email auction@firstuuomaha.org Call 402-699-3183 (Donna) Go to church website (http://www.firstuuomaha.org) Visit the Auction Area in Common Room
Donation deadline is October 22 (sooner is better, of course!) 8
Religious Ed News This has been an exciting month so far. The children joined together holding worship services where they light the chalice and share joys and concerns. We also practiced the “position of Unitarian” which is similar to the “position of Attention” used by the military. From this position they gain focus and it helps them start their day. This month our guest teacher was our own lovely artist, Eddith Buis. She did a wonderful creative art assignment with the children where they entered their “creative zone.” The art work will be on display very soon in the church. This month we harvested vegetables from our garden, which were shared during coffee hour and we got in touch with nature while learning cooperation and trust using the “identity tree” game. This is where students partner up and one child is blindfolded. The other child then leads his partner to a tree where the child with the blindfold must use his/her other senses to get to know the tree. Then they try later identify which tree they were led to. The kids did a great job helping each other, and it was great to watch. If you had come downstairs early from service, you might have seen the Common Room being teepeed. In this game the kids learned to encourage one another, recognize strengths and work together to unroll toilet paper in teams using only their noses (yes, it was as fun to watch as it was to do!) From this game we created a covenant with the church using the 7 Principles. Creation Story: In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth and populated the Earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow and red vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives. Then using God's great gifts, Satan created Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and Krispy Kreme Donuts. And Satan said, "You want chocolate with that?" And Man said, "Yes!" and Woman said, "and as long as you're at it, add some sprinkles." And man and women increased in circumference so that they were as wide as they were tall. So God said, "Try my fresh green salad." And Satan presented Thousand-Island Dressing, buttery croutons and garlic toast on the side. And Man and Woman unfastened their belts. God then said, "I have sent you heart healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them." And Satan brought forth deep fried fish and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter. And Man gained more weight and his cholesterol went through the roof. Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition. And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and deep-fried them. And Man got rounder. God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery. Then Satan created HMOs. Muahhaaahaaa! That was a funny little story to describe the need for our guest teacher on October 14th. Deanna Meyler recently did a wonderful job facilitating a Soul Full Thursdays class and will be helping the children prepare something healthy and delicious. We are still in need of regular teachers and guest teachers. Please contact Meka Tate at dre@firstuuomaha.org if you are interested in participating in our Religious Education program. As a guest teacher you can use your own talents and interests to spread your knowledge to the young minds of the church. Remember it takes a whole village to raise a child!
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Discussion Group: The New Jim Crow Sunday evenings, Oct. 21, 28, Nov. 4 and Nov. 11 from 6:30 to 8:30pm in the Merritt Lounge Kim Dunovan, Sandy Host and Meka Tate will facilitate a discussion of Michelle Alexander’s provocative book detailing how the war on drugs has resulted in the mass incarceration of African Americans over the past 30 years and creation of a new racial caste system, much like Jim Crow, of institutional racism, discrimination and exclusion. The book is available from The Bookworm at a 20% discount by mentioning you are from First Unitarian Church. The book should also be available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble in paperback and electronic versions. Childcare can be arranged by calling the church office at 402-345-3039 or by email to dre@firstuuomaha.org.
“For every century there is a crisis in our democracy, the response to which defines how future generations view those who were alive at the time. In the 18th century it was the transatlantic slave trade, in the 19th century it was slavery, in the 20th century it was Jim Crow. Today it is mass incarceration. Alexander's book offers a timely and original framework for understanding mass incarceration, its roots to Jim Crow, our modern caste system, and what must be done to eliminate it. This book is a call to action.” —Benjamin Todd Jealous, President and CEO, NAACP
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Sarah Joslyn Society The luncheon is on Sunday, October 14
IS YOUR NAME HERE? Jaime Alexander ♦ Jacqueline Anderegg ♦ Bill Bruns Sandi Bruns ♦ Linda Buehlmann ♦ Eddith Buis Carol Christensen ♦ Dean Christensen ♦ Sharon Conlon Deb Duggan ♦ Tim Duggan ♦ Olive Erickson ♦ Margot Fetrow Richard Fetrow ♦ Audrey Freyer ♦ Dale Freyer John Goldner ♦ Kay Lynn Goldner ♦ Megan Gustafson Lana Hammel ♦ Jack Heidel ♦ Wendy Hessler ♦ Joe Hoagbin Dick Holland ♦ Mary Holland ♦ Betty Holloway John Hruska ♦ Debbie Hunsberger ♦ Louise Jeffrey Walt Jesteadt ♦ Bob Jones ♦ Diane Jones ♦ Dick Joslin Anne Knapp ♦ Ron Knapp ♦ Dixie Lemon ♦ Harriet Major Katherine Bester McClure ♦ Carolyn McNamara ♦ Donna Neff Dave Nicklin ♦ Ruth Nicklin ♦ Frank Norris ♦ Lois Norris Bob Perrin ♦ Jack Perry ♦ Yvonne Price ♦ Cella Quinn Jim Rogers ♦ Raija Rogers ♦ Jim Simon ♦ Kim Simon Liz Stawycznyi ♦ Gretchen Thomas ♦ John Thomas John Wagner ♦ Elaine Wells ♦ Janet West ♦ Jim Wigton Judy Wigton ♦ Pat Will ♦ Edith Wilson ♦ Sid Wilson ♦ Judith Wright Anonymous I ♦ Anonymous II ♦ Anonymous III Above you will find a list of current members of the Sarah Joslyn Society, which was created to recognize and honor those members of First Unitarian Church who have made a commitment to leave a bequest to the church. There are now 67 members who will be guests at a luncheon on October 14. All you have to do is include a bequest to the church in your will or add a codicil specifying that. For the specifics, talk to Dixie Lemon (402-393-2882) or any member of the Finance Team and then join us at the luncheon.
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Hope, Struggle, and Change
Roy Zimmerman Concert Tuesday, October 2 At 7pm
Circle Suppers UU Circle Suppers are a gathering of 6 to 8 people who meet for an organized potluck dinner. The host/hostess provides the home or place, firms up the date with assigned guests and provides the main dish. The host/hostess then calls each guest to confirm attendance, gives directions to home or location and assigns the part of dinner the guest would like to bring: appetizer, bread, vegetable and/or salad, dessert or beverage. You do not need to be a host/ hostess to participate. Questions? Contact Bruce at bsgodfrey@cox.net.
Sign up online or in the Common Room.
Our hosts this month are:
Nathan Kramer and Amy Barlow Bruce and Kate Godfrey Eddith Buis Ron and Diane Withem
At our church!
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Invitation to Visit Our Partner Church in 2013 For Whom: Up to four high school students and two adults (one of the adults will be Janet West ) from First Unitarian Church. This would be a great opportunity for a First Unitarian family. The travelers will be fully responsible for their travel costs. When: Sometime during the summer 2013. The exact dates will be determined by the participants. Travel will take one overnight traveling from Omaha to Romania and a long day coming back to Omaha. Some participants may want to go to Budapest for an additional two to three days. Those going to Budapest will travel by train from Kolazsvar (Cluj) to Budapest. All of the participants will fly from Omaha to Kolazsvar (Cluj), Transylvania, Romania. For those who will not be going on to Budapest, they will fly from Kolazsvar to Omaha. For those who are going to Budapest, they will fly from Budapest to Omaha. What will it cost: The airfare will be about $1,300 per person. The teens will stay with village families who have participating teens. Rev. Katalin is writing a grant to subsidize the cost to the village families. The translator/driver and bus will cost about $300 per person. Each person will want to take $100 to $200 for personal expenditures while in Transylvania. While in Kolazsvar, the participants will stay in the high school/seminary building dormitory for two nights. This will cost about $25 per person per night. For those traveling to and touring Budapest, the cost will be an additional $400 or $500. The cost without the trip to Budapest would be about $2,000. The trip including Budapest will be about $2,500. What to expect: The participants will be in the village for six days and in Kolazsvar for two days. While in the village, the Omaha teens and the village teens will get to know each other, learn about each other’s version of Unitarianism, and travel to the Transylvanian Unitarian sites such as the fortified churches and a park which includes a dozen Szekely gates. Many of the churches are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. While in Kolazsvar, both groups of teens will visit Torda (Turda) where Francis David made a speech supporting religious freedom in 1568, the First Unitarian Church of Kolazsvar, and the office of the Unitarian Bishop of Transylvania and Hungary. For more information contact church member Janet West at jmasonwest77@yahoo.com.
Holland Lecture October 24 at 7:30pm Recent Supreme Court rulings regarding campaign financing have raised many questions. What ought to be the role of money in a democratic election, and has it changed since the Constitution was signed? The Constitution has been amended to expand voter eligibility; is the right to both content and amount of free speech in an election an absolute right? Do changes in technology and media since 1789 merit a reevaluation of that? Come hear Fred Wertheimer speak on how these practices are impacting our two centuries of democratic elections. Mr. Wertheimer, the founder and president of Democracy 21 and for 17 years president of Common Cause, has been described as the country’s leading foe of these new election practices. In a year when the election rules and practices have been rewritten, his views could not be timelier. FREE tickets for this reserved seating event will be available October 8 at Ticket Omaha. Please put this on your calendar. Each caller may request up to six free tickets for the lecture.
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Board President Kate Godfrey President-Elect Tony Host Board Members Dean Christensen, Lana Hammel, Barb Herring, Louise Jeffrey, John Wagner, Ron Withem
KIOS Bundled Donation Drive The month of October represents our annual fundraiser with KIOS Public Radio Station. For every dollar First Unitarian donates to the radio station, KIOS provides double that amount in advertising for our church throughout the year. This fundraiser provides a great way First Unitarian can advertise at a low cost.
Trustees of the Capital Trust Tim Duggan (2013), Sandy Host (2015) Senior Ministry Team Jack Perry, Walt Jesteadt, Carolyn McNamara, Ben Wallace, Rev. Frank Rivas Submit items for publication to
KIOS is not about mindless commercialism like most radio and TV programming. It’s about intelligent, stimulating and articulate programming. Try it, then pledge through First Unitarian Church. We also know something about intelligent, stimulating and articulate programs. Helping spread the UU word through advertising on KIOS is a win-win proposition for you and the church. This drive pays for our public relations! Place your check made out to KIOS in the offering plate, mail it to the church office, or give it to John Hruska.
admin@firstuuomaha.org Word limit is 200, deadline is the 15th of the month. Board meetings are on the second Tuesday of the month and are open to all members.
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Collection begins October 1 and runs through October 28.
Ministry Team Leaders Adult R.E. Crystal DiGiorgi Contact Phone: (402) 345-3039 Fax: (402) 346-2662
Archives Dave Richardson Building (short-term) Dave Rosser
Staff Minister Rev. Frank Rivas minister@firstuuomaha.org
Caring Douglas Lee-Regier Chalice Guild Kay Lynn Goldner
Director of Religious Education Meka Tate dre@firstuuomaha.org
Community Meals Louise Jeffery
Office Administrator Catharine Dixon admin@firstuuomaha.org
Fellowship Nadine Keith & Judith Wright Finance Walt Jesteadt
Women’s Alliance Vanessa Timberlake
Fundraising Donna Neff
Young Adult Group Maria Wilson
Garden Sharon Conlon
YRUU Ben Wallace & Shawne Coonfare
Governance Alex Nather
Organist Pat Will Choir Director Bob McMeen Choir Accompanist Patricia Allender Nursery Aide Justin Deffenbacher Custodian Bobby Medrano Minister Emeritus Ronald Knapp
Membership Barb Ross
The Flame Editor Catharine Dixon
Office Carolyn McNamara Partner Church Council Janet West R.E. Team Nicole Giron Religious Services Megan Gustafson UU Class Yvonne Price & Jaime Alexander
eNews Catch up on what’s happening at the church on a weekly basis by subscribing to our eNews, a weekly newsletter sent to your inbox. For more information, contact the church office at admin@firstuuomaha.org.
Proofreaders Scott Kemper, Lana Hammel, Cyndi Nather The Flame Mailing Team Anne Massoud, Evelyn Whitehill, Howard Bolton, Jeanette Ryan, Shelton Hendricks
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The Flame First Unitarian Church of Omaha 3114 Harney St. Omaha, NE 68131 October 2012
See page 13 for details