November 17, 2002
Editorial
Deadline n. The latest time by which something must be done. (Webster's New World Dictionary)
You know, the other day I was at the church working on the Newsletter. It happened to be Thursday.
I noticed a few items in the Newsletter box but since the deadlines are the first and third Sundays
as published on the front page of every Newsletter, my intent was to include them in the next issue.
Wendi told me if I didn?t include the items in the Newsletter I was working on she would have to
work them in. Now, our congregation is made up of some incredibly intelligent, literate people.
We all agree that the deadlines are, in fact, the first and third Sundays of each month. So why am
I finding things in the Newsletter box several days after the deadline? This is not fair to the people
who get their items in on time. It is not fair to Wendi, who has enough of her own work to do. It is
not fair to me when I spend hours doing set-up to make the Newsletter flow. With the exception of
deaths, illness or other emergency situations, items that are not in the Newsletter box or e-mailed
to me by the deadline dates and time (12:30 p.m.) will be included in the following Newsletter.
Remember that a deadline is not a suggestion! Irene
Moderator's Jabberwocky
For the last month, parking issues have become a hot topic around First UU, so I would like to devote
this column to a progress report. Thanks to the hard work of Parking chair Stuart Smith along with Joe
Brimmer, Trey Greene, Larry Hutchison, Dan Kosmowski and Wendi Winston we are making headway on several fronts.
To help you understand the problem a little better, let's start with a little history. In an effort
to ease an increasing shortage of parking spaces, several years ago the church purchased a parking lot across
Prentiss from the church. The previous owner, Mrs. Summerville, had several regular parking tenants and
revenues from these parkers has been covering the loan payment for the lot. Also, we receive a donation
from the Buddhist Temple for their use.
Thanks to the good offices of Trey Greene, we were also able to make available a Wayne State
University lot on the north side of Forest for parking on Sunday morning. These arrangements met our
needs most of the time, although there were occasional parking shortages, particularly on weekdays.
Then, a few months ago, a new person was appointed "parking czar" at WSU. This personnel change
has had a dramatic effect on the parking situation. When WSU raised its rates significantly, many
students, not wanting to pay the higher rates, began parking on the street and trespassing on the church's
lots, we began ticketing and towing unauthorized vehicles in cooperation with the Wayne State Police.
At the same time, the lot on Forest began to be locked on Sunday mornings. This cut down
significantly the number of spaces available. At the same time, the lot on Forest began to be locked
on Sunday mornings. Thanks to increased enforcement in both the Prentiss lot and our other one behind
the church (which is now being chained nightly) the situation is beginning to ease. We are now in
negotiations with Wayne State to reopen the Forest lot, at least until the end of this church year.
However, instead of the lot's use being donated by Wayne State, we will probably have to pay a fee for each use.
In the meantime, other options are being explored, including the use of other nearby facilities on Forest and Cass.
In 16 months, when the mortgage is paid off, we will be able to look at other options for the Prentiss lot,
possibly including paving it and assigning spots to tenants and reserving some for church use.
While I can't say that the problem is totally solved, I did want you to know that we are working hard
on both short-term and long-term solutions. As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome.
Peace, Lynda
Committee News
Choir
The choir schedule for the next three months is as follows.
All rehearsals are on Sunday mornings at 9:30 unless otherwise noted. Our choir is open to all who
enjoy singing so please join us.
December 1, 8 Rehearsal
December 15 Rehearsal and performance
TUESDAY, December 24 Evening rehearsal, time to be announced, and performance.
January 5, 12 Rehearsal
January 19 Rehearsal and performance
February 2, 9 Rehearsal
February 16 Rehearsal and performance
Development Committee
Entertainment Books are for sale during coffee hour for $30.00. A $6.00 profit goes to First UU.
They are an excellent savings. Twingo's, Mario's and Avalon Bakery have coupons in the book.
Thanks for contributing to this fundraiser. Margaret Beck 313-882-7775
Women's Alliance
Luncheon at noon on Wednesday, December 18, followed by a program of holiday music by Jonathan Schultz
and Friends will gladden hearts and lift spirits: join the group in Memorial Hall. Make luncheon
reservations by phoning Eiko Takemoto at 313-869-6389 or the Church office at 313-833-9107 by
Monday, December 16 at noon. The cost of the luncheon is $6.00.
Noel Night Happenings
We are asking for donations of jars (large mayonnaise, mason?etc.) for the making of luminary candles.
They will be decorated/prepared on First Friday. Each year we add a few more to the collection.
Eventually, we hope to be able to border the Church and Church House for the season of light. Volunteers
are needed to help with cookies, cider, chaperoning the musical performers, and greeting visitors at the
doors. We would also like people who would oversee activities for the volunteers/member's children so
they can volunteer with less distractions. Your donations of cookies, cider, glass jars, and time
will be greatly appreciated. We would also appreciate monetary donations towards the purchase of the
candles, refreshments, trees, wreaths, and roping that enhance the appearance of the church for the
season (and tests our fire insurance policy). For more information call Dan Wiest at 313-567-2531.
First Friday
First Friday, December 6 ? 6:30 P.M. This is the big decorating night for the church house and sanctuary.
Come for the meal to get the energy you will need for three trees this year plus all the other items to
hang, place, string, and fuss over. We are trying to find a caterer who will keep the cost of the meal
to $5.00 per person. Make your reservation by Wednesday, December 4. Sign-up sheets will be at the
Membership table during coffee hour. Weather permitting, we will be decorating the outside of the church
house on these days with evergreen roping, wreaths, and lights. The rain/snow date will be December 7th.
NOTICE
Because of the special nature of our December 1 service, there will be NO announcements from the floor,
so if you wish to share an announcement it is important to submit it for the Order of Service or give it
to Al Acker or Mark Bendure in advance.
Out and About
Join
Amnesty International and other groups as it celebrates Human Rights Day
on Sunday, December 8th at 4 P.M. in Memorial Hall. This is the 54th Anniversary of the signing of the
Universal
Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations. Amnesty has always
had a special relationship with First Church as it was member Vic Schumacher who got the local group going.
Other participating organizations include Freedom House, The Coalition to Prevent Police Brutality, Stillpoint
Buddhist Center, and Horizons in Poetry. Contact Dan Wiest at 313-567-2531 for more information.
Other dates to note:
Thanksgiving Lunch Nov. 25
Outdoor Church decorating Dec. 6 &7
Membership/Growth Meeting Dec. 9
Potluck Dec. 16
For more information call Dan at 313-567-2531.
Meals on Wheels
Home-bound seniors can call Detroit Area Agency on Aging for Homebound Seniors for Thursday,
Thanksgiving Day, November 28 to receive a turkey dinner. Please call 313-964-6325 as soon as possible.
December Birthdays
9. Bob Neale, Joe Samples
11. Marilyn Mitchell
13. Barbara Stevenson
17. Ken Meyer
20. Mike Simowski
21. Gail Twitty
23. Ardith Dickason
24. Nick Greene
26. Charlotte Allen
28. Evelyn Scheyer
29. Jerry Gochnour
30. Adelia Minor
From the Church of the Larger Fellowship
The Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF)
offers Classic Chalice Jewelry at reasonable prices for Unitarian Universalists everywhere.
From simple pewter chalice pendants to lovely gold chalices with crystals, CLF has a
variety of unique chalice jewelry for sale. Earrings, pendants, pins, and even ornaments
are available. Give a gift to someone you love or to yourself that speaks of your commitment
to liberal religion. Shop online
or call 617-948-6166 for a brochure.
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