horizon happenings
Volume 27, Number 6
"Growing spiritually healthy people who promote love and justice in the world!"
December 2012
CONTEMPLATIONS • “Expectations” The Reverend Dennis Hamilton • srminister@horizonuu.org Bubbha the Buddhist garbageman from Bodacia says, “What did you expect?” You can learn more about Bubbha on Sunday Dec. 2, but really, what DID you expect? The more I just look around at the world, and stuff happens, it is all becoming clear that everything happens, not for a reason but because of previous consequences. One thing leads to another. It all makes sense when you stop expecting something else. You know Einstein’s famous quote, "Insanity is when you do the same thing over and over again and expect different results." This month we will be considering the pros and cons of expectations. After all, without some hope, how do we face the future? If that is a rhetorical question, we get nowhere. We will be asking questions that actually challenge the notions of hope, expectation, disappointment, broken dreams, successes, empty successes, and the like. So Christmas is coming. We all are getting fat. Put another penny in the old man’s hat. Or something like that. Indeed, we always face some choices at this time as to what we will give to each other to celebrate our friendships. The Heifer Project always gives us an opportunity to give a gift that really makes a difference, and I am hoping for
another wonderful animal to give to a family in Ecuador or Peru or Africa. Maybe some chickens or a goat. As for our own in-house aid fund, the Minister’s Discretionary Fund, I will be sending this letter to you, but here is a heads up. Contributions can be made at the Christmas service or by mail any time. Here’s my letter: Minister’s Discretionary Fund Dear congregants, Each year at this time I ask you to replenish the Minister’s Discretionary Fund or MDF. This fund is used mainly to help those members who are in need. Usually this is for rent, utilities, a medical emergency or other short-term aid that will make an enormous difference in a family’s life. It may prevent eviction or the loss of transportation. Sometimes the MDF can help a youth or adult who cannot afford to go to a UU retreat or workshop. Most of us at Horizon are in reasonable financial health. But misfortune can strike at any time, and for some of our members who are just surviving month to month, it can mean disruption in the whole family. Over the years we have helped a number of families to avoid homelessness. Your contribution to this
fund, no matter how much it is, will make a difference in many lives. It also covers the various handouts we give to people who stop by the church for gas or food money. This is not a significant amount, but it is what a generous church does. Poverty, for whatever reason, is debilitating and often humiliating. Even asking for help is humbling. So we treat all of those who are recipients of aid with respect and love. Besides, having a generous heart is healing in itself. It is spiritually nourishing and is the most genuine form of prayer. This year we did not take up a collection for our Partner Church in Romania. The Haitian project, At Risk Children’s Foundation, received that Share the Plate contribution for November. It is a very worthy project championed by Horizon member Andy Kernan. And See "CONTEMPLATIONS" on pg. 2
CONTENTS Editor's Corner President's Corner Lay Ministry News From Our Intern Adult Explorations Board Actions Intern Committee Future Sundays
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