the nUUsletter

Virtual Culverts

by the Rev. Jeff Briere

For me, one of the most interesting aspects about the infrastructure of Chattanooga is the drainage culverts in my neighborhood and in the older sections of town. I have never lived in a flood–prone area near a river. In the places I lived before Chattanooga, excess water drained off through under-ground storm sewers. Storm sewers exist in Chattanooga as well, but the presence of the open culverts indicates the storm sewers can be flooded by a heavy rain.

When the culverts are dry, I walk in them sometimes. It’s interesting to see Brainerd’s back yards and the dogs and cats and squirrels that I would not see if I walked down the street. I believe a back yard says more about the homeowner than the front. Some culverts are lined with cement, which in most cases needs repair. Some are lined with rocks.

The culverts run between properties, like alleys, under streets and sometimes underground. Down the block from my house, one culvert goes under the street. The little cement bridge bears this inscription: “W.P.A. 1940.” It was built near the end of the depression, about eight years before my house was built, and probably before the underground storm sewers were constructed.

If it weren’t for the open culverts, people’s properties, and maybe their houses, would flood during a heavy rain. So even though the culverts contain unsightly trash and cast–off furniture, even though they are cracked and broken in many places, even though mosquitos like the small pools of water, I am glad the culverts are there to keep me dry.

I think we have virtual culverts to drain off all the negativity that threatens to inundate us. Our spirits have drainage ditches to carry off the anger, the hurt and frustration that wash over us during a heavy rain of despair. We have places, which when visited, refresh us, rejuvenate our spirits. We have activities, which when pursued, restore our souls and show us the way to be human again.

Check your virtual culverts. Are they clogged with junk? Crumbling and needing repair? Next time you get caught in a rainstorm of rotten feelings, flush out your culverts. Visit that place that helps you to re–connect with humanity. Engage in that activity that helps you be you.

President's Perspective

by Daidee Springer

THAT church is a phrase we’ve been hearing a lot lately. Jeff started it by telling us in a recent sermon that that’s how we’re known around town. THAT church. I think we need to change this. I think we should be known as the CHURCH that…

I’m not going to fill in the dots at this time. I can’t; it’s not my decision to make. It’s all of ours. How would you complete the sentence? What are your dreams and aspirations for this church? What are you willing to do to make those dreams realities? What’s most important to you?

Our website states “We support responsible actions to reduce oppression, preserve the ecology, and promote compassionate justice in our larger community.” This is good, very good; but I think we should be “taking” responsible actions as well as “supporting” them. Let’s identify a project or cause to rally round. As I wrote earlier, this church has a proud history of advocating for civil and human rights and we need to continue that tradition.

In the same sermon in which he referred to THAT church, Jeff said he believes the purpose of a church is to help establish justice: civil justice, environmental justice, economic justice, social justice. Do you agree with him? If so, try to focus on one single justice project you’d like to work on with the members and friends of your church community.

A dog-eared postcard displayed prominently in my kitchen quotes William James: “I will act as though what I do makes a difference.” I’d like to see us act together as a church and be known as the church that makes a difference by…. Again, you fill in the dots.

You’ll be asked for your thoughts during the upcoming all-church canvass. Your answers will determine our purpose and the actions we take to affirm it.

Calling All Bookworms!

The Book Club meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00pm in the fellowship area at UUCC. On February 16 Linda Pehlman will lead the discussion on This is not Civilization: A Novel by Robert Rosenberg.

On March 16 we will discuss Gilead by Marilynne Robinson and on April 20 we will discuss White Teeth by Zadie Smith.

Everyone is invited to participate.

Interfaith Hospitality Network

The Interfaith Hospitality Network at UUCC starts again from April 23rd - 30th. Say YES! when our new co-coordinators, Marge Pasch & Harold Linn call on YOU!

New Member Sunday

The congregation will welcome new members on
Sunday, March 5th in a special service. If you
have been visiting for awhile, feel that you can
support the ministry of the church, and are
considering membership, please see the
minister as soon as possible.

The Interdependent Web

by Steve Hollingsworth

De big wheel run by faith
Little wheel run by de grace of God
Wheel in a wheel
Way in de middle of de air
--Traditional Negro spiritual

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. --Sir Arthur C. Clarke

“Aliens have implanted a receiver in your skull and are manipulating your thoughts” is Sam Harris' final proposition from Chapter 1 of his book The End of Faith. His three propositions are intended to help us think about how belief matters. As preposterous as it first seems, after some consideration, I know I saved the best for last.

If aliens are manipulating my thoughts, what kind of aliens are they? Do I know it or suspect it? Which of my behaviors do I attribute to alien influence?

In finessing the nuances of these questions, I'm awed by the deep-seated desire in our collective humanity to be able to plead diminished capacity, whatever our actions may be.

If the aliens would mean us harm, and I acted badly--well, how is that different from saying, “the Devil made me do it.”? If I trust the alien intelligence and believe they are using me for the greater good, even when I cannot understand my own thoughts and actions--maybe I have been born again/trust God's wisdom/not my will but Thine be done on earth as it is in heaven.

There is extraordinary congruence between miraculous religion and alien conspiracy. As a thread in human conversation, it has persisted for thousands of years.

Ezekiel's wheel in the air must be based on a presumption of powers beyond those we reckon daily. Erich von Däniken in Chariots of the Gods and its sequel meticulously assembled his phantasmagoria to “prove” the presence of aliens on earth throughout recorded history.

A part of Mormonism that gets very little press is its insistence that there are brothers and sisters on countless other worlds in need of the saving power of Jesus Christ. Parts of Scientology seem similarly comfortable with aliens--not surprising when you consider that L. Ron Hubbard was a science fiction writer before he was a cult builder.

My thoughts, cascading fast and furious, as Harris likely intended, might wash away any need for religion, but, as a UU, I'd like to discuss it first! You'll get an organized opportunity at UUCC's Adult Forum on February 5th at 9:30am. Matt Hoyt and Jeff Briere will lead the discussion. In the meantime, there is a vital conversation online about the topics Sam Harris raises at http://www.samharris.org. Check it out.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

by Maddie Kertay

Hands down, one of the best parts of being the interim Director of Religious Education is listening to the conversations that the kids have with each other as they tackle a new project. Quite often these conversations are not even "on topic" for what we have been covering that day, but they are no less important than the most profound thought generated by the lessons. These conversations have no age or gender lines. They flow as the natural consequences of the children getting to know each other in our currently larger and more boisterous Sunday School setup.

While at one time we divided the children by age (and may again some day), currently we are enjoying having all the children who are between 4 and 10 together in the same class. While it does make for more children to watch, it has led to new friendships, mentoring, and a lot of good vibes between many kids who would have had little contact in our former structure. What could be more Unitarian Universalist than the blending of ages, skills, and perspectives for the greater good of all of our children?

With each passing Sunday, I watch the blooming of friendships and sharing of confidences. We have spoken of the joyful arrival of new family pets and comforted those who have experienced a loss, no matter how big or how small. I have learned that just about all the kids agree that having family dinners is important to them and that no mater what mom and dad say vegetables are still highly overrated! I have been privy to stories of true friendship and of difficult times at school. But above all else I have seen supreme compassion coming from children in a way that would do each and every parent proud.

I encourage all parents and church members to spend some time with us. To see and hold hands with our future is a wondrous thing, and I would hate for any of you to miss a minute of it!

Be on the look out for some Valentine's-themed fun in February and more announcements as we roll into spring!

P.S. Write me and let me know your ideas and how you think I am doing. I can only be as good as the support and feedback that you give me!

Knitting Knews

The Twisted Knitters will be meeting at the church February 7th at 7:00. Bring your knitting kneedles and be ready to share tips, hints, and knews with your fellow knitters. Experienced and knew knitters welcome!

Green Sanctuary Initiative

by: Sandy Kurtz

It’s February, the wintry month of love and red—the color of cardinals, perhaps catholic, but we speak here of bird.

Cardinals gather together in fall, forming loose flocks that stay and feed together. During this time males treat females the same way they treat other males in the flock, but in the second half of winter, males begin to solicit females with song. In late winter the females answer, and as pairs join together, the winter flocks break up. –Donald Stokes from A Guide to Nature in Winter

As we approach the second half of winter, watch and listen for love at work.

Sandhill Crane Day: If you prefer larger birds, you will enjoy Sandhill Crane Day on February 4. Drop in at Birchwood School anytime between 8:30 am and 3 pm for programs, exhibits, and a shuttle trip to view migrating cranes by the thousands. You may also sight bald eagles and two visiting whooping cranes. For more information about the programs at Birchwood or for directions, please call Ken Dubke.

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♪ Notice: Your Green Song is Due! Several months ago, we announced a contest for a Green Sanctuary song. Then it occurred to us that rather than having a winner and just one song, it would be better to have lots of songs. Several of you have indicated that you are working on an original song to be used as part of our Green Sanctuary Initiative. We will use songs in appropriate venues in the months to come. We especially want to present them at the Rachel Carson Dinner April 29. If you have a green song, it is time to turn it in. Please bring it to the office by the end of the month.

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Eco-team Moving Forward: Our newest Eco-team will spur the members to lead more earth-friendly lifestyles. Over the next couple of months they will address their garbage, water, energy, transportation and consumption patterns at home and take easy actions to reduce environmental impact. Thanks Sheila Carmen, Roger Davis, Carol Hobbs, Mary Hunter, Inga Johannesen, and Marge Pasch. If you would like to represent your household on an Eco-team, contact Sandy Kurtz for more information.

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Help Wanted: GSI Subcommittee members are need for 2 projects:
1. Rachel Carson Vegetarian Dinner (April 29)
This dinner is in honor of Unitarian Rachel Carson, the author of Silent Spring that brought environmental awareness and alarm to the general public. The dinner will feature vegetarian food (catered), entertainment, and an inspiring speaker. The greater community will be invited. Contact Linda Helton if you are able to help with the planning to make this a quality event.
2. Meditation Trail Planning
Envision a trail on our property where one could stop and get a sense of nature from the perspective of various religions. What would the plan look like? If you want to help create the plan, contact Buck O’Rear.

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Chocolate on Demand: During the holidays we thought it would be good to add chocolate and teas to our Fair Exchange coffee available on Sundays and return to just coffee at the beginning of the year. Surprise, surprise, we have had requests for more chocolate bars. GSI aims to please and so you will soon see a new supply on the Sunday table. Whether you purchase our coffee or chocolate, you are taking an action for social justice.

Share the Plate

by Jeff Briere

I have noticed that this congregation is very generous and full of compassion. I would like that spirit of generosity to reach a wider community, and so a couple of months ago, at a board meeting, I suggested that the church give away the entire collection once a month. My suggestion arose from a conversation among my colleagues. In several congregations in different regions, the amount of income from the plate actually went up after adopting this program.

The Board of Trustees has approved a plan for sharing our Sunday offering, once each month, with a deserving agency outside the church. Beginning in February, one Sunday a month, the entire collection will be given to an organization that needs our help and which is aligned with our principles. We’ll share the plate for the first time on February 12th.

Deciding which agency will receive our gift will be the responsibility of a committee, yet to be established. If you have suggestions for the name of this committee, or if you wish to participate, please see me or Jesse Mozzini

nUU nUUsletter Editor

Wendy Sapp has accepted the position as the new nUUsletter editor. Wendy first joined UUCC in 1996 though work and school have often taken her away from the Chattanooga area. She is excited about serving as editor. If you have any suggestions for improving the nUUsletter, please contact Wendy Sapp.

The Board Did It!

by Daidee Springer

At their January 11th meeting, the Board

Scheduled an ingathering of new members for Sunday, March 5.

Discussed plans for the upcoming stewardship campaign with the campaign chair, Matt Hoyt.

Agreed to investigate options for lighting the Spehar parking lot.

Appointed Rich Dwyer President pro-temp during Daidee Springer’s vacation, Feb. 2 –20.

Bye Bye, Books!

by Helen Solomon

As you may have remember from the January nUUsletter, we are changing the downstairs church library into a church history archives area. We will keep all scrapbooks and writings by and about our ministers and members. We will keep some books on philosophy and comparative religion--Judeo-Christian and other world religions--for use by our church school and the forum. (All the actual curriculum materials for the church school are kept in the church school office.)

All the books that do not meet our new criteria will be disposed of after they are sorted according to the following plan:

1. Donors may retrieve books they have given to the Library at any time.

2. Discarded books will be offered for purchase to church members at very low prices during the month of February. They will be $1.00 for paperback; $2.00 for hardcover, or special "as marked" prices for collector items. Someone will be in the library after church on Sundays to help you.

3. By the end of February, the books we keep will be arranged on their shelves and all others will be donated to the Chattanooga Public Library for their semi-annual book sale.

See Helen Solomon or Peggy Cottam if you have questions.

Stewardship Campaign

Each year the church solicits contributions from each member to support the following year's operational expenses and ministry. Every member is contacted and meets face-to-face with a representative from the Stewardship Committee to discuss their needs and the needs of the church. Once upon a time, we called this event the Annual Canvass, but that name did not exactly express the many aspects of stewardship that we see in the membership of the church.

Often we would use this campaign to elicit background information from each member: interests, abilities, special projects, pet peeves and so forth. This year, we have just one question, and we ask it now, so that you have a chance to think about it. It’s very important that we ask this serious question and that you give it serious thought.

The question is, "What do you want this church to be known for?" Aside from ending with a preposition, this question is open-ended, and allows you to think far and wide about the purpose of this church. The Stewardship Campaign begins on March 17th with a special Fellowship Dinner and a special service on Stewardship Sunday, March 19th.

B'nai Zion

For twenty years or more, B'nai Zion Congregation has hosted a special Sabbath dinner and service in honor of National Brotherhood and Sisterhood Week on the last Friday evening of February. This year is no exception, and you are invited to attend this popular and meaningful inter-religious experience on Friday evening, February 24, 2006.

The evening commences with a traditional Friday evening Sabbath dinner at 6:30 pm. Seats are assigned to promote tables with a diversity of religious backgrounds and to facilitate meeting new people. At 8:00 pm we adjourn to the Sanctuary for a special Friday evening Sabbath service which stresses the themes of National Brotherhood and Sisterhood Week.

In years past ministers and priests, as leaders of religious communities, have been asked to address a topic for two to three minutes. As this is the fourteenth and final year of his rabbinate at B'nai Zion, Rabbi Josef Davidson will address the group.

Jeff Briere can attest to the delicious nature of the meal and the inter-religious service. If you wish to attend, please sign up on the roster in the office. See Chris.

The Exonerated

The director and cast of The Exonerated regret to report that they will not travel to Knoxville or to Nashville as originally planned. A critical member of the cast is unable to perform and cannot be replaced on short notice.

On a positive note, they are pleased to report a total collection of $695 from their five Chattanooga performances. A check for $495 was sent to the Tennessee Coalition to Abolish State Killing, and a check for the remaining $200 was sent to The Exonerated Fund. If you are interested in more information about either of these organizations, their contact information is available from the church office.

Carson Collection

At our worship service on Sunday, January 8th, we collected $1111 for Sonny Carson’s cremation. The minister used $58 of that to buy flowers in the name of the church. At the memorial service, another $70 was contributed. The minister added $500 from the discretionary fund and a check for $1611 was given to Franklin–Strickland Funeral Directors. The balance of $12 was deposited in the discretionary account.

Sonny's family was very grateful for our assistance at this time. Again, they offer their thanks for your love and generosity. Below is the content of a handwritten note the church received from Sonny Carson’s family.

“Mrs. Viola Carson (the mother of Claude E. Carson) and family thank you for the expressions of love during the bereavement of our loved one, Claude E. Carson. It is only by the grace of God and your support that we have comfort and peace.
May God bless and keep you in his loving care.
Love,
The Carson Family”

Wednesday Nights Out

We all need a night out on the town and who better to spend the evening with than your fellow UUs. Each Wednesday, church members and friends meet at a different restaurant for dinner at 6:30 with every one going Dutch. Call Leslie Walters at 706-858-0017 for more information.

Angel nUUs

Jerry Smith, our website guru, is awarded a platinum halo and wings for his work on the website and in the religious education program. Lately, he has developed a bulletin board system for the exchange of ideas and you can access it by choosing "Forums" on the home page. After teaching Jeff how to post his own sermons to the website, he now volunteers with the younger teens.

Jerry exemplifies the many "quiet angels" that go about their angelic business with little fanfare and are little noticed, except by the discerning, observant eye. The Caring Committee is a choir of angels which provided refreshments for Sonny Carson's memorial service. Several driving angels continue to help Dolores Wood make her appointments for treatment. Veteran angel Steve Smith baked a wonderful cake for our birthday party.

Among all the "quiet angels" none deserve our gratitude more than the teacher angels who guide the classes each week in the religious education program. Anyone who volunteers for the RE program automatically gets diamond-encrusted golden wings and matching slippers.

Thank you many times to all the angels in our heavenly church!

UUA-UUSC Gulf Coast Relief Fund

On December 19, our church received a letter from the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA) and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) thanking the church for the donation of $1,329.40 to the UUA-UUSC Gulf Coast Relief Fund. Individuals and UU congregations have contributed over $3.1 million.

Contributions will be used to (1) address the needs of the disadvantaged and marginalized communities in the affected areas as they rebuild their lives and livelihood, and (2) support UU congregations and professionals as they rebuild and continue their ministries in the region. As part of efficient non-profit management standards, at least 95% of contributions made to UUA-UUSC Gulf Coast Relief Fund will be used for disaster response and recovery efforts.