the nUUsletter

Meet Your New Board

DAIDEE SPRINGER, Board President—Daidee served on UUCC's Board of Trustees for three years, two as Ways & Means VP and one as Treasurer. She's been an active UU for fifteen years, first in Chicago and now in Chattanooga. She's a recently retired librarian who had her own business in Chicago doing online research for corporate clients. Prior to that she was a public library and municipal cable TV director in Ferndale, Michigan. A political liberal who leans toward fiscal conservatism, Daidee has been married to Steve Hollingsworth for more than 28 years. They live in Shepherd Hills with their two aging cats, BJ & Cyrus. From April to October Daidee lives, and mostly dies, with the Chicago Cubs.

SONJA HELMHOLTZ, Secretary—Sonja continues in the position of Secretary for her 2nd term.

KARL HUNT, Treasurer—Karl assumed the role of Treasurer last fall, and continues to ably serve in this capacity.

JESSE MOZZINI, Vice President, Development—Jesse grew up near Monterey, CA. After school graduation, he bought a bookkeeping firm in King City, CA. When he sold that business and moved to Chattanooga, Jesse worked for a local accounting firm for five years. In 1998, together with his partners, he founded Haney, Mozzini & Justice. In 2003, Jesse reached a lifelong goal when he achieved Enrolled Agent Status with the IRS. CHARLOTTE DAVIS, Vice President, Programs—A community of diverse beliefs and tolerance brought Charlotte to UUCC. Previously, in several other church communities she was active in music ministry, altar server/acolyte, training/ coordination, IHN, and religious education. A career advancement in the long term care field brought Charlotte to Chattanooga, but corporate downsizing led to a change in career direction. She's currently the "Dragon Keeper" at Dragon Dreams Museum and Gift Shop. After coming to Chattanooga, Charlotte met Roger, whom she describes as an absolutely incredible man. Charlotte and Roger have blended their families, 4 children (Sarah, Hunter, Morgan & Alex, 17, 16, 14 and 12), 2 cats, 2 birds, and 3 gerbils. Their dog Lucy passed away June 11, 2005.

MONIQUE LEWIS, Vice President Religious Education, continues on the Board. She has been a UUCC member since 1981 when she returned to Chattanooga with her two young sons. Among other things, she was born in Nice, France, lived in Africa for 5 years, and taught school for about 20 years. Her favorite hobby is working in the garden.

RICH DWYER, Vice President, Ways & Means—Rich has been attending UUCC since ‘98, joining in May 2000. He served on the Board as VP of Programs during Buck O’Rear’s presidency. He’s been part of the choir since beofre it was called a choir and says he will continue until enough people tell him to quit. Rich is currently employed as a Customer Service Representative with Alltel Communications and drives to the Dalton Call Cener daily. He met Linda Pehlman (choirmaster & pianist) at UUCC and they married in 2001. They have 3 grandchildren, 2 in PA with Linda’s son and one in Dalton with one of Rich’s two daughters. Hear a soulful harmonica? That must be Rich...

FRED TREGASKIS, Past President—Fred, who served us so well as President the past two years, continues on the Board as a non-voting member.

Interfaith Hospitality Network

by Monique Lewis
Question: What brings people together to build a bond between them?

Answer: A common goal with activities that impact on each and every participant......

Each time we extend our hospitality to IHN guests, we grow stronger as a church community and as individuals. THANK YOU to all the cooks, evening and overnight hosts, drivers, and set up crew that extended their own valuable hospitality during our June IHN "hosting." We had 43 folks (9 of them brand new) who helped these two families make it through another week in their often unpredictable lives.

August 28 September 4th will be our last hosting for 2005. Please look ahead and see if you can help support this worthwhile community project.

Thanks again to all who volunteered this time—your contribution was very much appreciated by our IHN families!

Recordings of Worship Service Available

Tapes & CDs of recent worship service may be obtained from Rich Dwyer. (As these are original recordings, they need to be returned after you have heard them.) Printed copies of the Sunday Worship Services are available from the box on the minister’s office door. We invite you to visit our website www.uuc.org, as Services are also posted there. (Recent Services)

The Interdependent Web

by STEVE HOLLINGSWORTH

Goldberg was a faithful Jew who went to synagogue every Friday night, and Saturday mornings as well. He prayed with passion and conviction. He prayed to win the lottery. Months and years of prayer went by and Goldberg did not win. Not once. Finally, in despair, he lost it and shouted to the Deity, "God, I am a faithful man. I do no harm to anyone. And I come to synagogue and pray regularly. All I have ever asked of you is, just once, let me win the lottery. God, why have you not answered my prayers?" Suddenly, there was a clap of thunder and a voice boomed out from the heavens. "Goldberg, give me a break. Buy a ticket!"
—as told by Denny Davidoff, UUA Moderator 1994 2002

When I first met Denny Davidoff in about 1992 I knew her as mother of a friend in our UU church (2nd Unitarian Church, Chicago). She was warm and attentive and looked the part of the doting grandmother she would soon be. Maybe I'd heard she was running for Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Moderator, the second most important position in our denomination, but I didn't know it meant she would someday have breakfast at the White House with President Clinton.

I was at UUA General Assembly (GA) seven times while Denny was moderator. Whenever I went to a plenary session she was kind and unhurried, keeping her sense of humor through thick and thin. With an instinctive sense of the body politic, refined by decades of attention to process, she seemed always to know when and how to move the business forward.

The UUA Moderator position is designed to allow our association to run by consensus whenever possible and to invoke majoritarian rules gently and only when necessary. Denny did her job as well as it can be done.

Nevertheless at the first GA I attended (1994), there was a proposal presented to change the UUA governance structure significantly. I remember that the position of moderator would have been eliminated, but the motion lost decisively. Whatever the proposal might have fixed I'm glad to have the memories of Denny in charge.

At my first GA also came my most unforgettable memory of Denny. She was the guest speaker at the Friday Shabat service put on by UUs for Jewish Awareness. Looking both ways for any political correctness police, she launched into the story above complete with Yiddish accent. It brought down the house!

CHIONS

CHIONS meets Saturday, July 9, at 10:30 a.m. Facing Ethics: Levinas on Language and the Origin of Consciousness presented by Dr. Matthew Guy
This presentation will explore the thinking of the philosopher Emmanuel Levinas and his ties to phenomenology (Martin Heidegger, Edmund Husserl and others) and then his arguments for re orienting our understanding of subjectivity and language so that they are grounded in asystematic ethics.

Matthew Guy is a professor of English at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, teaching literary theory and criticism, British Literature and Western Humanities. He has a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Louisiana State University. His dissertation was on Levinas and his readings of the Talmud.

Our Sympathy

Our sincere sympathy is extended to Gloria Hausser and her entire family in the recent death of her father Jack Craig McCallum on June 2.

Wednesday Night Out

Please see July's Calendar for details on Wednesday Night Out. After July 13, no more Wednesday Nights Out will be held during the Summer.

Board Highlights

by Fred Tregaskis
The current board and the Trustees elect met jointly for dinner and business on June 13.

The Treasurer reported that the church finances are sound and that we will continue conserving expenses.

Paige Joyner has been hired for nursery care during the summer months.

Paul Adler reported Fire Code requirements which will necessitate expenditures.

Kate Briere and Fred Tregaskis were approved as Delegates for the General Assembly.

The Minister's Letter of Agreement was renewed, with compliments, for a Total Cost of Ministry of $62,500, as approved by the congregation.

The 2005 2006 Board of Trustees will meet on the 2nd Wednesday of each month beginning July 13.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
DAIDEE SPRINGER, President
SONJA HELMHOLTZ, Secretary
KARL HUNT, Treasurer
JESSE MOZZINI, VP, Development
CHARLOTTE DAVIS, VP, Programs
MONIQUE LEWIS, VP, Religious Education
RICH DWYER, VP, Ways & Means
FRED TREGASKIS, Immediate Past President
REV. JEFF BRIERE, Ex-officio

Everything You Need to Know about Sales Tax

Members who perform work for the church often have to buy something related to what they’re doing. We are a nonprofit organization and are exempt from sales tax. If you make a purchase for the church, please use one of the sales tax exemption forms available in the bin on the office door. Also make sure you keep and turn in a receipt so that you can be properly reimbursed.

Art on the Walls

We have heard a number of appreciative comments and know that you are enjoying the “Quilts on the Walls”!

Linda Kay White began quilting in 1990 after working for many years as a computer programmer and analyst. With no formal training in this form, she started in a traditional block quilt style, evolving into her current technique of machine quilted fabric collage. Once a design is complete she layers it on batting and backing fabric as you would a quilt. With decorative threads, she stitches the layers together adding dimension and detail to the design. This exhibit is representative of the transition period where Linda’s work was moving from the pieced art quilt to her current collage technique. Some of these quilts were designed using a collage method, but then stitched by machine with traditional piecing skills.

Thanks to our Art on the Walls coordinator BILL HULL for obtaining such wonderful exhibits.

Help Balance the Budget

At the annual meeting, the congregation voted overwhelmingly to approve a deficit budget and agreed to increase pledges to support that budget. We’re on our way to achieving that goal, but we need everyone’s participation. A handy dandy form is enclosed to make it easy for you to increase your pledge if you haven’t already done so. Just fill it out and return it to the church office or drop it in the collection basket. An average increase of just $2 per week from each pledging unit will see us through.

Thanks to all who have already generously responded to this appeal.

East Tennessee Cluster of UU Churches

The East Tennessee Cluster will hold their fall leadership conference on September 17 at the Oak Ridge UU Church. Theme: “Building Beloved Community.” The focus will be small group ministries with a keynote speech and sessions by Mellen Kennedy.

Angel nUUs

Our lawn, driveway, and parking lot are still being kept clean and tidy by Steve Smith. Steve is always at the church late in the week getting everything ready for the upcoming Sunday Service. His work is impeccable and a gift to the church. We thank you again Steve for your continued labor of love!

We’ve been told that Carolyn Moore and Fred Tregaskis have added to the cofers towards funding the wiring for the Sound System. Thank you.

Summer Nursery Schedule

Summer Schedule for the UUCC Nursery: During June, July and August, the church nursery, for children ages birth to three, will be open each Sunday from 10:30 to 12:30. When you arrive at the church you may take your young children downstairs. Please complete the required registration form before leaving your child. After the service most children will go outside for snacks and free play. You may also wish to bring a bottle or sippy cup for your child. Please place a name tag on the child's back for the first few Sundays; until we know your child. Two adults will always be with the children. “Older” three year olds may choose to join the older kids for more structured play activities.

Twisted Knitters

The Twisted Knitters meet on Tuesday, July 5 at 7pm. Bring your kprojects and kyarn for a knight of koffee, konversation and, of kourse, knitting!

Anniversary

Helen and Ray Solomon celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary on June 14! Congratulations!

mUUsic Jam!

mUUsic jammers meet Saturday July 9th at 3 pm. Anyone who plays an instrument or sings is welcome to join us. Any style of music is acceptable, and all levels of musical skill are expected. Bring sheet music or chord charts for your favorite songs and take home new songs and good memories.

Camp fUUn at UUCC

by Dolores Wood

This summer, the Religious Education Department changed itself into a sUUmmer campground. Each Sunday morning we are playing games, creating crafts, running through the sprinkler and, weather permitting, taking trips. Join the fun!

Multi aged groups choose from a list of the week's camp activities: crafts, games, music, videos, or just sitting under a tree and chatting. For safety there will be two adults with each group of children regardless of the age or number. Parents will continue to take turns bringing healthful snacks and joining in the fun. Parents: this is a fun way to get involved with the church's program. (Caveat: we require that all volunteers attend the church for 6 months before being a lead teacher unless you have been a member at another UU church.)

July 3—Church picnic on the grounds but no sUUmmer camp fUUn activities or nursery.

July 10—Volunteers will lead choices of crafts and games. (Dolores will be at the Mountain for RE week.)

July 17—Kids, their transporters and supervisors will go on the chosen field trip. The nursery will be open for the younger ones.

July 24—This Sunday will be water day. In addition to crafts for the landlubbers, the kids may choose to participate in water games.

July 30 31—Camp's end sleep over and camp out at the church! Kids, youth and their families will participate in a game night and cookout at 5 p.m. on Saturday evening. Those who wish will spend the night at the church, sleeping in tents and stargazing.

There will be no RE classes or activities during August, except for the nursery which will continue as usual. Volunteers will spend the month preparing the space and teachers for the new school year curriculum.

Green Sanctuary Initiative

SING ME A GREEN SONG! The deadline is August 30, 2005. We need YOUR contribution! Do you have a green song waiting to be sung or played? If so, please submit to Daniel Justice, coordinator of the Green Action Plan Worship & Celebration Section. Or leave it in the GSI mail slot in the church office. Be sure to attach your name, address, phone number or e mail address, and the name of your composition. The song will become a part of our church celebration portfolio, and will be used for special worship services such as Earth Day or other appropriate occasions. A qualified musician will judge the entries.

GREEN TESTIMONIAL—Bonny Sinclair submits this very practical testimonial: “We've installed a light tube in our kitchen. It adds so much light that, during the day, we don't use electric lights at all anymore. Our kitchen was so dark because it is in the center of the house no windows to the outside that we needed to turn on a light to do almost anything. Now with this ceiling light tube, I don't use electric lights from 8AM until around 7:30 or 8:00 PM. I can even read by this light. It is wonderful.”

“It has a clear roof unit with a mirrored tube and an opaque base that fits to the ceiling. On clear days, we're still feeling like we have to turn off a light. I t's brighter than a 75w fluorescent bulb. Even on cloudy days, as well as before 7:00a and after 8:30p, it's bright enough to do most things, like get a drink or make a snack.”

We welcome Bonny's contribution. Tell us when YOU take a green action.

PRIVET PATROL—On June 4th a hearty crew turned out for our GSI spring OUTDOOR DAY. Workers Nancy Anderson, Pat Fogarty, Inga Johanessen, Bill and Sandy Kurtz and Martha Lee with her two young grandchildren worked HARD from nine to three, with a quick time out for lunch brought by Claire Hale. They pulled out invasive vines choking the trees and privet with special privet eradicator tools supplied by Dolores Wood. Nancy Anderson transplanted some hosta from her yard while Pat Fogarty picked up and then sweated to plant a crabapple tree, two laurels, an oak tree, and two butterfly bushes. He visits his treasures regularly and they are all doing well.

Getting rid of invasive species is an enormous ongoing task. These few, albeit strong and determined, individuals struggled mightily, but next time NEED YOUR HELP! Watch for the date.

INTERFAITH GREEN ACTION On June 30, our church hosted a meeting for the Chattanooga Chapter of the Interfaith Power & Light, a consortium of churches in the Chattanooga area committed to treating the earth gently. UUCC is taking the lead in reviving this inactive group to bring green action to bear in the larger community as part of our own Green Action Plan. If you know of a church that might like to practice earth stewardship, let Sandy Kurtz know.

GREEN PROMISES TO KEEP BEFORE WE SLEEP—The GSI coordinators especially applaud the following two green promises made at the April 17 Green Sanctuary service:

1. [Join a green action committee.] The GSI committee needs you to help with the various components of the Green Action Plan! Contact Sandy Kurtz for information.

2. [Buy a block of green power.] To sign up, call the Electric Power Board at 756-2706. For an extra $4/month added to your bill you buy one block worth 150 kilowatt hours generated by solar, wind, or methane gas. You don't receive the block directly. Instead it's integrated into the overall grid. The more blocks integrated into the grid, the less non renewable resources needed to produce electricity.

More green promises next time. Meanwhile, thanks!

GSI Chair, Sandy Kurtz; Members, Nancy Anderson, Pat Fogarty, Claire Hale, George Helton, Bill McGuiness, and Fred Tregaskis, with, Daniel Justice, Worship & Celebration; Dolores Wood, Religious Education; Sandy Kurtz, Environmental Justice; Buck O'Rear and Richard Ralston, Sustainable Living; Linda Helton, Communications. And every member of UUCC is a member of the Committee of the Whole!