December 15, 2002
You, Me, & The Gift
As we look toward Christmas and what we give people whom we love, we can’t avoid seeing what “others” would like us to
give - the papers and television are filled with what new thing we might offer as an expression of our love.
Is it true many people define the value of their lives by what they have?
As the sign in the fabric store said, “She who has the most fabric wins.” The idea of defining our value by who we
are, by how we connect with each other, by our relationships, is something that we don’t consider much.
I wish for you in the words of James Curtis:
“I wish for you, all around you, people who love easily and forgive quickly;
Whose eyes are stars when yours are night;
Whose voices are trumpets when you are silence.
I wish for you people about you who are gifts in themselves, and whose presence in your life is an
all-year-round present.”
Love, Larry
Committee News
Development Committee
Thank you to everyone who made the Christmas season more enjoyable with our Christmas caroling with the St. Matthew’s
members and friends at St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged. We also enjoyed seeing the residents singing along and keeping
rhythm and we enjoyed the wonderful aquariums and birds at the Home.
Margaret Beck, Development Trustee
Social Justice Committee
A campaign by groups such as MoveOn, Working Assets and True Majority are running an ad in The New York Times that
supports the UN inspection teams and urges people to call the President and their Members of Congress asking them to do
the same. You can reach the President at 202-456-1414 and the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.
Women’s Alliance
Please join us for the noon luncheon on Wednesday, January 15, 2003 followed by “Expanding Our First Church Scope - A
Forum Presentation”. All are welcome to join us in Memorial Hall. For reservations please call Eiko Takemoto at
313-869-6389 or the church office at 313-833-9107 by noon on Monday, January 13. The cost of the luncheon is $6.00.
Plan to join us for the theater party February 26 on a special date, the 4th Wednesday. Get your theater tickets by
Sunday, February 16.
Worship Committee
Have you ever thought of being a lay leader? Well, now is your opportunity and invitation to explore that possibility.
On Monday, February 10, 2003, from 7 - 9 P.M. the Worship Committee will hold its annual lay leaders learning session for
those who want to join this wonderful cadre of members who help design worship experiences at First UU. Some time in
January during coffee hour you will have an opportunity to dialogue with lay leaders about their roles in worship. Look
for details soon. If you have an interest, call Gwen Winston at 313-832-2928 to put your name on the lay leaders rsvp
list.
To Members of My UU Family
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your loving concern and communications with me during my two recent hospitalizations
for knee replacement and then ulcers. The second one was totally unexpected and harder to deal with, but it helped a lot
knowing my friends were wishing me well. Thanks again. Your love is reciprocated.
Affectionately, Lee Thume